Revised 7/20/05

2005-2006  Legislative Priorities

Therefore, we would like to pursue support for the following priority issues for FY 2007.  It should be noted that these issues are not listed in a particular priority order.

Support for initiatives that will provide for flexibility and efficiency for education spending, including local flexibility and a study or review of the entire education funding system in Delaware.

Support for Major Capital Funding changes, including market pressure enahancement and changes in the Major Capital Funding formula.

Adequate Division II Energy funding.

No unfunded or under-funded mandates.

Funding for full-day kindergarten and pre-school programs, including current operating expenses and capital improvement expenses.

Approved by the DSBA Legislative Committee 09/28/05
Adopted by the DSBA Board of Directors  10/12/05
 

The Delaware School Boards Association believes that for all children to become successful, they must be provided with accountable, educational opportunities. With this belief comes our commitment to an accountability system that holds students accountable for knowing and performing skills that are critical to their success but also holds adults accountable to provide appropriately for these opportunities. In order to accomplish these goals, it is important that adequate and appropriate resources are provided to the schools, in terms of finances, personnel and supplies. We are sensitive to the fiscal issues that the State of Delaware is facing in the foreseeable future and have worked to have our priorities reflect not only our needs but what is feasible. We are aware that a few of these priorities will take more than this year to accomplish.

We believe, therefore, that the following legislative priorities are important for FY '07.

1. Support for initiatives that will provide for flexibility and efficiency for education spending, including local flexibility and a study or review of the entire education funding in Delaware.

The current system of funding for Delaware education leaves some poorer districts at a disadvantage.  In some districts, the additional local costs of mandated programs have created significant budgetary crises.  There have also been decreases in federal and state funding that have further eroded local discretion of local funds.  Issues such as pension increases have added to diminished local funds.  Adjustments in the Division III funding are not able to offset these difficulties.  This year the issue has reached a critical state for some districts. 

DSBA would like to see the local public school districts given additional flexibility, similar to the flexibility that is afforded charter schools, in the use of current operating funds. 

DSBA realizes that the issue of equity for students is difficult.  When the adoption of the Division III Equalization formula was developed, the mandates and accountability responsibilities were not the same as they are today, both from a federal and a state perspective.  We urge that the needs and responsibilities of providing equitable education for all students be revisited in light of new expectations.  Specifically, we request that a task force be established to examine the entire system of education funding in Delaware to determine if funds could be distributed in a more equitable manner for improved education for students. 

Additionally,  DSBA feels that a discussion regarding reassessment of property values should be addressed.  There currently exists a disparity among the counties in the rate and manner in which property values are assessed and taxed that creates a disparity in the local school taxing efforts for the districts.  These issues and alternative solutions should be studied.

2. Support for Major Capital Funding changes, including market pressure enhancement and changes in the Major Capital Funding formula.

The funding formula for square footage allowances for school building construction have not been adequately adjusted in recent years.  The costs for construction supplies have risen dramatically since September, 2001.  Adjustments to the current allowance of $175.00/square foot must be made for all new construction. The DOE School Construction Committee has recommended changes to the formula to better meet the actual construction costs.  Additionally, the committee has recommended that the factors be aligned to an indexed indicator for future allocations.  DSBA supports these recommendations. 

There are a number of building projects currently under construction in the school districts.  Many of these projects are finding it difficult to meet the proposed budgets.  When a school district begins a building project, it takes approximately four years from the time that the budget is developed for referendum purposes to completion of the project.  The issues of inflation and soaring construction costs have meant that plans have had to be changed.  Less costly and less durable construction materials and techniques have had to be substituted for those originally specified.  DSBA requests that market pressure adjustments for current school construction projects be addressed again this year.

3. Adequate Division II Energy funding.

During the past decade, the school districts have been encouraged to reduce class size, to provide for additional special programs, and provide space for additional staff.  Many districts have built additional schools and classrooms.  Many other classrooms and buildings have been altered for air conditioning.  After-school programs and additional summer school programs have been mandated in the past five years.  The energy formula was increased for the FY 06 year.  However, the increase did not completely meet the costs of energy in the district buildings. 

The energy price increases since the hurricane disasters in the southern states have created increased pressure on the districts to maintain the budgets that were adopted at the beginning of the fiscal year. DSBA urges adequate energy adjustments both in the current budget and in the allocations for FY 07.

4. No unfunded or under-funded mandates.

When any legislative body mandates educational expectations, they should also be accountable for providing the resources to accomplish those expectations.  The Delaware General Assembly has recently, for the most part, been very responsible in this regard.  However, there are some areas where the cost of implementation of the Accountability Act exceeds the funds provided by the State.  The costs this year of implementing the federal law, No Child Left Behind, is creating increased financial burdens for the local districts.  The school boards recognize and appreciate the additional professional supports that have been initiated by the State.  However, the local share of those mandates has created diminished discretion of local funds for school districts.  In some situations, school districts have had to cut or eliminate local initiatives, which were approved through the referendum process in order to meet the costs of state and federal mandates.  DSBA urges that all mandates be fully funded.

5. Funding for full-day kindergarten and pre-school programs, including current operating expenses and capital improvement expenses.

For student achievement to be successful, we must create a positive impact on student development at an earlier age.  Research, and successful programs within our own state, has shown that early intervention plays a strong role in more students meeting the standards and achieving in school. The implementation of these programs is important for long-term improved achievement.  Support for full-day kindergarten was enhanced in FY 06, including appropriations for major capital improvements.  This has been valuable to a number of districts.  DSBA urges increased support for full-day kindergarten expansion in the districts, including building appropriations. 

Approved by the DSBA Legislative Committee 09/28/05
Adopted by the DSBA Board of Directors 10/12/05

sfrancis@edsba.org