Finance, Facilities, and Equity: Emerging Concerns for the Future.

Interest in general school finance reform escalated in the 1970s, with many court decisions ruling state educational finance systems unconstitutional because of extreme variations in local wealth. Many state systems of educational financing were realigned. While the remedies utilized general_i served to placate reformers, a resurgence of challenges to finance schemes is becoming evident. The potential for lawsuits involving facility funding appears strong, with a growing concern that equality of opportunity may be affected by bricks ard mortar. Research addressing the issues surrounding financing facilities in the state of Kansas examines the inllowing: (1) determining the sources of concern and the associated legal issues; (2) assessing other states' handling of the issues; (3) ascertaining the dimensions and effects of the problem in Kansas; (4) determining whether the problem is generic to the state or jI,Ist a rural-urban difference; and (5) establishing whether or not there is a connection between educational facilities and the quality of educational programs. The following are conclusions and recommendations for the state of Kansas: (1) adopt a mechanism for granting true aid for facility construction and maintenance; (2) adopt an aid formula similar to those in other states; (3) allow for a high level of state participation; (4) consider current local effort; (5) provide for continual local incentive and local control; (6) provide funding for existing debt reduction; (7) prioritize the needs statewide; (8) identify cost projections; and (9) establish two operational finds for assistance to local school districts, one for critical needs and one for long-range plans; The research suggests that there is a potential for state liability if court trends develop as indicated. Contains 30 references. (ALL) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * FINANCE, FACILITIES, AND EQUITY: EMERGING CONCERNS FOR THE FUTURE David C. Thompson Kansas State University William E. Camp University of North Texas Jerry G. Horn Kansas State University G. Kent Stewart Kansas State University Presentation National Rural Education Research Forum September 23-24, 1988 and National Rural Education Associatin Convention September 24-28, 1988 Bismarck, North Dakota U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Once of Educahonal Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received trCm the pe'son or organizahon originating it C Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction Quality knots of view or opinions stated in thisdocu ment do not necessarily represent official OERI position or potic 2 "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY IwlD e. womnoo TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)"