Judge Rules Against Schools in Funding Lawsuit

Judge Lori Wilbur today rejected the arguments of students and parents who sought to force the State to provide more funding to education in South Dakota. Rapid City was one of the districts in question in the lawsuit. In her decision, Wilbur essentially accepts the State’s argument that Rapid City’s budget problems over the last ten years are a product of declining enrollments and a reflection of the district’s own spending priorities. She also accepts the State’s implication that some of Rapid City’s problems result from poor decision-making by the administration and the board.  

The plaintiffs in the case may choose to appeal the decision and, no doubt, some legislators will feel vindicated. Students, parents and teachers in Rapid City, however, will find no remedy for the frustrations they feel. Teacher work loads continue to increase, diminishing the ability of teachers to forge strong connections with individual students. Drop out rates remain high and graduation rates comparatively low. Meanwhile, student achievement for advanced students continues to fall.

When the lawsuit was filed, many people, including Governor Rounds, argued that education funding issues didn’t belong in the courts. Clearly, those of us who believe we have a moral obligation and an inherent self-interest in doing more for our children need to continue to make our case in the most important court in South Dakota – the court of public opinion.

To read Chet Brokaw’s full story, check out Education Week at http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/04/08/261150bcsdschoolfundinglawsuit_ap.html