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Frustrated over declining state aid for public schools, School Board members in District 196 have adopted an acerbic tone in their lobbying efforts at the state Capitol this year.

On Feb. 25, the School Board approved its 2008 legislative platform. Titled “Stop Playing Games with E-12 Public School Funding,” the platform outlines a three-part solution to education funding woes.

Local funding concerns are shared by school districts across the state, School Board Member Joel Albright said.

“Where there was concerns before, there’s frustrations now; where there was frustrations before, there’s flat-out anger now,” Albright said.

“The funding system right now is just a shell game. … It’s not getting us to where we need to be.”

Among the recommendations outlined in the platform:

• “Do No Harm” – The School Board asks that the state increase funding to the general education formula by an additional 2 percent for the 2008-2009 school year. Also, the School Board asks that the state not approve any additional unfunded mandates or any funding shifts that would increase local taxpayer responsibility.

• “Be Honest and Transparent” – The School Board wants the state to acknowledge that the Legislature has shifted an increasing share of funding responsibility to local taxpayers, that increasing reliance on local levy referendums has caused greater disparities between districts, and that two years of no funding increases continue to have a negative impact on school budgets.

• “Commit to a New Funding Solution” – The School Board is asking that the state determine the actual cost of education and establish a new system of funding public schools during the 2009 session.

http://www.thisweek-online.com/2008/February/29edreform2.29.08.html