Parents file suit, say they want to pay more taxes to support public schools

[proud2BlibKansan]

Long time coming, IMO. Current KS law forbids taxpayers from raising their taxes to support education programs at local schools. The only thing they can raise local money for is capital improvements. So we have a bunch of nice updated buildings in this district but are facing school closings due to reduced state funding.

The video gives a better explanation than the written piece: http://www.kmbc.com/education/26090780/detail.html

[bluestateguy]

1. Can they voluntarily pay more taxes at tax time?

I know the IRS allows that for federal taxes.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I don't know

But I doubt that would raise the money they want for their schools.

[kelly1mm]

6. So they not only want to personally pay more for their schools but make

others similarly economically situated pay more as well? I never understand these types of arguments - if you feel you are not paying enough in taxes then you are free to make a donation to whatever taxing authority you wish. What these types of arguments really are is making everyone else pay whatever you think is appropriate.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. It allows the community to determine how much to pay in taxes for schools

in a democratic process called a vote. Majority rules doesn't mean anyone tells anyone else how much to pay in taxes. It means a majority wants to pay X amount to support the schools.

[kelly1mm]

9. I agree with that principle. However, the state wants to assure adequate

funding via taxes for all the state's schools. If funding is not equalized across the state you would/do have very poor school districts and very rich school districts. If they want to pay more taxes they should be calling for an across the state rise is taxes to fund all the states schools. What they want however is for their taxes to go only for their already physically superior schools.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. That approach was banned in California as inequitable

Beverly Hills school got a lot more money that South LA kind of thing. I want to recall later there was a move to limit what booster groups could do too.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. The only time I have ever voted against a school levy

Several years ago the district where I live asked for money to pay for updating Science labs and a football stadium. I didn't see the need for either.

[Starry Messenger]

3. k&r

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I have very mixed feelings

I live in this district and we have excellent schools. I don't mind paying more taxes to maintain that excellence.

However, I teach in the urban core. And the KS school funding formula is designed to ensure that schools in low income areas (mainly rural in KS but also a few urban areas) are fairly funded. I don't want to see the kids who need the state's help the most get the shaft when the funding formula is reconfigured.

Definitely a poser.

[FBaggins]

5. This strikes me as an incredibly stupid law.

Is it based on the notion that in order to provide relatively equal educational opportunities, that the state must balance funding across all of the districts? Even if it means forbidding localities from spending needed money on education?

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. That's pretty much it.

And if I had a better idea, I'd offer it.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. Same is true here in California