Expert: Bonnie Shimmin - 11/9/2009

Question
Hi there, my question is regarding school funding in schools. I am trying to find information on the web in regarding how different states fund their schools by a county tax. Do you know any states that just have their counties fund their schools rather than local taxes?

Thank you!

Answer
Dear Mike,

This is a complicated question because not all school districts in any particular state are funded just one way or another.  For example, the rather poor California districts I worked in for so many years were primarily funded by ADA (school attendance) from the state.  But not entirely.  They also used federal funding and some local funding.  There are a few districts in California which are called "Basic Aid" districts that get no state funding because they have such expensive homes and businesses and so are funded primarily (or entirely) by local funds.  There have been court cases (e.g., Serrano vs Priest) that argued local funding is inherently unequal.  So the question is kind of a political hot potato here in this state.

I am by no means and expert in this area and don't really know about how each state funds schools.  If you can't find what you want by Googling the web sites of the state boards of education, you might try calling your local state capital or county office of education and speak to someone in charge of school funding - probably in the business division.  

Best of Luck,
Bonnie