I had written to ask the state Legislature to consider removing the levy lids and equalization processes. The response was that these levy lids are in place to create fairness in schools. There are two basic issues that I have with these mechanisms for funding state schools.

First is fairness, which the levy lids were written to create. It would seem that some areas would have lower salaries due to the lower costs of living within those districts, yet the state funds schools as though the cost of hiring a teacher is the same all across the state. Those districts with lower teaching costs have proportionately more money to spend on items other than teachers’ salaries than those with higher costs.

The second is also an issue of fairness. The levy equalization process allows the state to additionally fund districts that do not pass their levies for school funding. I applaud the state’s efforts to ensure that each child receives an education beyond what the state deems to be basic, but it is rumored that there is a dark side to this as well. Some pundits have suggested that some districts are purposely failing their levies in order to receive more money from the state.

Regardless of the reason that a district does not choose to fund their schools beyond the basic education provided by a state, what real purpose is served in blocking a community that wishes to fund their schools more fully?

I feel that the state’s mechanism for funding our schools is flawed at the most basic levels and inherently unfair to our children. Please petition our Legislature to change this.

— Charles Green