[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: K-12 funding - a Faustian bargain?

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
K-12 funding - a Faustian bargain?
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1196576746.shtml


   I have long believed that property taxes should be more like fees, to
   cover the direct costs of owning land. Education is by far the biggest
   exception to this. I am therefore sympathetic to the idea of 100%
   state funding of K-12 education drawn from non-property taxes.
   But once the money is raised, I am equally of the opinion that the
   locals should spend it. Choice one would be for the parents to spend
   it - true choice. Choice two would be the school board, progress if it
   eliminates the influence of the State and Federal educational
   departments. (And the Minnesota School Board Association and the
   Association of Metropolitan School Districts and the Minnesota
   Association of School Business Officials and ...)
   This isn't going to happen, either. In fact, the most likely outcome
   is still higher federal spending, higher state spending, and higher
   local spending, with tax increases to match. Is there any way to win?
   When P.S. Minnesota presents its grand plan for one or two more
   billion dollars in state aid, is there some way we can present our one
   condition: transparency? To get the additional money, a school
   district must publish, accurately and promptly:
    1. All non-payroll expenses paid and related contracts signed.
    2. All employment contracts, from Superintendents on down, including
       union agreements.
    3. Coherent, professional financial statements, including hours
       worked and student attendance.

   For extra credit, I'd also want to see standardized test results, and
   grading distributions as a check on grade inflation. But to finally be
   able to follow the money might well be worth the price.