Arkansas Supreme Court Says Lawmakers Are Adequately Funding Schools

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ State lawmakers are adequately funding public schools, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday in ending a long-running lawsuit. <br/><br/>The court cited the Legislature's

Thursday, May 31st 2007, 10:39 am

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ State lawmakers are adequately funding public schools, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday in ending a long-running lawsuit.

The court cited the Legislature's additional spending in this year's session, including a $122 million increase in per-student funding and $456 million from the state's surplus to pay for repairs to dilapidated school buildings.

The court singled out the Legislature's continuing review of its education efforts. A report last month by two court-appointed special masters concluded the framework for an improved education system existed, but constant review was needed.

``What is especially meaningful to the court is the masters' finding that the General Assembly has expressly shown that constitutional compliance in the field of education is an ongoing task requiring constant study, review and adjustment,'' Justice Robert L. Brown wrote.

A school district in eastern Arkansas sued the state in 1992, alleging that it didn't spend enough money on schools and that the money spent was distributed unfairly. Justices ruled against the state in 2002 and again in 2005.

Late last year, four school districts asked the court to maintain oversight, arguing that while the Legislature had appropriated extra money, it hadn't adequately addressed buildings, programs for non-English speakers and money for rapidly growing districts.

The boost in per-student funding and money to repair dilapidated school buildings in this year's legislative session raised hopes among Gov. Mike Beebe and lawmakers that the state was close to ending the long-running case.

A spokesman for Beebe said the governor was pleased with the court's decision, but declined to comment further until Beebe had reviewed the order.

David Matthews, the attorney for the Rogers school district and the lead lawyer in the case, declined to comment until he had read the court's ruling.