A judge ruled the state's system of funding poor schools unconstitutional
Thursday, saying it fails to provide adequate education by not offering
early childhood programs.
Circuit Judge Thomas W. Cooper said the state's previous spending to
improve achievement in poor schools failed because those efforts did not
address the early impact of poverty on children's lives.
"The expenditure of those monies has been largely ineffective because they
come too late," Cooper wrote.
If the ruling stands, lawmakers will have to find a way to provide free
preschool to low-income students.
Both sides indicated they likely will appeal the decision.
The lawsuit was brought by eight districts that claimed they did not have
enough money to adequately teach children. The schools argued that the
funding system relies too much on local property taxes and not enough on
state dollars.
The judge did not require districts to fix dilapidated school buildings or
raise teacher pay, as many had hoped.
Cooper ruled that facilities in the eight rural districts were "safe and
adequate" and that curriculum standards and the system of teacher
certification were sufficient.
The trial began in July 2003 and saw more than 100 days of testimony from
lawmakers, school administrators and education experts.
