School finance

Colorado lawmakers once again are looking at changing the way the state funds its schools. This is a recurring effort that deserves serious attention, both because education is so important and because it is the largest expense in state government.

Although reformers already have too much to consider, this time, the effort also should address its effect on charter schools. The mechanics of school funding should not work against experimentation and innovation.

The state sends tax money to school districts with the amounts adjusted to reflect enrollment numbers, the cost of living and the number of at-risk students. The goal is to equalize school spending so students in poorer areas are not deprived of the education those in an upscale community might get. There is no way to overcome all disadvantages, but Colorado tries to level the field on education.

But there is never enough money to do everything. There always are more worthwhile programs than funding. The interests of parents, teachers, administrators and students are not always perfectly aligned. Rural and urban areas have different needs. And everyone in the state - students, parents, prospective employers or taxpayers - has a stake in the outcome.

As such, education spending is an ongoing fight. Rural school districts complain about the transportation costs associated with their greater distances. Critics say special education is not adequately funded and the system does too little to help individual students excel. All of those represent legitimate concerns.

Beyond that, though, the current system sets up an inherent resistance to educational alternatives outside existing school systems. Because state funding is allocated on a per-pupil basis, each student effectively comes with a check - in the case of Durango High School, about $7,000. If that student goes elsewhere, so does the check.

The idea that spending is proportionate to the number of students seems reasonable, and in a broad sense it is. But costs do not track exactly. Many expenses do not change with the addition or subtraction of a few, or a few dozen, students.

But officials estimate the student population of Durango High School will decline by as many as 200 students this fall. That represents an approximately $1.4 million hit to the school's budget. In response, the high school has laid off teachers and staff members, and eliminated one assistant principal position.

Much of that drop in enrollment is simple variance in the local population. But of the 200, 60 or 70 students are expected to go from Durango High School to the new Animas High charter school - and with them will go about $400,000 in state money.

That sets up an unconstructive situation. Teachers and administrators at Durango High School cannot help but be concerned about the charter school's effect on their jobs and their school. At the same time, supporters of Animas High School are forced to defend what should be celebrated as a welcome attempt to try something different.

We no longer are the industrial nation that high schools supported, nor do we have the agrarian economy our school schedules were designed around. The 21st century will require something new.

Charter schools have not always fared well. But new models and new ideas should be welcomed in education and experimentation sometimes requires a new platform.

How we fund schools should not discourage that.

Source: durangoherald.com