School Funding Will Never Be Equal

There won't likely be a ruling from the appeals courts on the equality of school funding this legislative session.  But there will be plenty of discussion, both at the legislature and in the local school houses about the issue.

My take is this, there will never be 100% equity is school financing by district.  It is just not possible with the number of school districts and the varying economic situations of each district.

The state cannot equalize every dollar spent as some districts will always find a way to spend more as they are richer districts.  What do the courts want to do, lower the potential spending to the lowest common denominator?   If say, $1700 is the number, is that all you can spend?

To think that if the state says it costs $1700 per student to educate them properly, do you really think that the richer districts will stop there?  No, they will hire better teachers and pay more, they will offer benefits and perks that do not appear on budget lines, and any host of other methods to secure the best help, and the best facilities.   What about buildings, must each district have exactly the same square foot per student ratio in buildings and amenities?  And finally, how do you equalize socio-economic issues?

I have real trouble when people say everything must be equal, because it can never be equal when talking about education.  There are too many factors that influence the learning process and those that teach.  You will not achieve 100% equal funding unless you stop richer school districts from spending above whatever the state deems the educational cost per student that will be allocated to each district.

You don't believe me, just look at the difference in Laredo between UISD and LISD.  Will they ever be equal?  Probably not, and they are in the same city.  The only way to truly equalize schools is to make everyone spend whatever the lowest common denominator spends.  And that would be a very sad state of affairs.