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School Finance Lawsuit Going to Trial Monday
School Finance Lawsuit Going to Trial Monday 10/21/12
October 21, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The sweeping school finance lawsuit going to trial
Monday in Austin isn't only about money.
But the $5.4 billion in cuts to public education approved by the Texas
Legislature in 2011 will certainly be a focal point of the case.
The trial involves lawsuits filed on behalf of about two-thirds of school
districts statewide.
The districts argue that budget cuts have come amid soaring enrollment
driven by low-income students. They say students from poor families are
more-expensive to educate.
Also, Texas has imposed tougher standardized tests and schools say they
can't afford to prepare students adequately for them.
They argue that the school finance system is now so inefficient and
inadequate that it violates the Texas Constitution.
The state counters that the system - while not perfect - is constitutional.