06/25/2006

Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Superintendent Lynn Gullekson sits on one of the swings Kingsley Area Schools had to install because of changes in playground codes. Kingsley struggled to pay for the upgrade, while richer schools downstate already receive millions more than the base per-pupil amount.

Group fights for school equity

Educators, parents want changes in state funding

By Christine Finger

cfinger@record-eagle.com

KINGSLEY — Superintendent Lynn Gullekson struggles to explain to parents why some downstate school districts can afford new extracurricular activities while Kingsley Area Schools scrambles to spare existing programs.

That's why he joined Citizens for Equity, a growing group of parents, educators and concerned residents from northern Michigan communities who want changes in the state's education funding system.

Many of those districts, like Kingsley and Traverse City Area Public Schools, receive the current minimum per-pupil state grant of $6,875.

"They came to a realization that one of the few ways to make a change is to communicate with the legislature," Gullekson said about concerned citizens in his district.

Kirt Kilbourne, co-chairman of Citizens for Equity and father of two TCAPS students, said the parity argument is gaining attention. The financial differences between districts tends to shock people.

"They're just astounded by it," Kilbourne said. "Proposal A, when it came out years ago, was not a bad thing. It proceeded to run amok."

Proposal A, which voters approved in 1994, sought to provide more equitable funding for districts statewide and reduce reliance on property taxes as the primary school funding source. But critics say the spirit of that measure was lost with "section 20j," a clause that grants supplementary funding to many of the state's wealthiest districts.

Equity advocates cite examples like Bloomfield Hills, which receives more than $31 million over the base per-pupil amount. Southfield and Ann Arbor each receive more than $42 million more.

Gullekson pointed to upcoming challenges like new high school graduation requirements, which come with no additional state funding and will require new programs and tools that richer downstate districts already have. Kingsley also struggles to pay for simple upgrades like new playground equipment that meets state codes, he said.

Phil Scott, a Kingsley resident who has worked as a substitute teacher in several small northern Michigan districts, welcomed the group's efforts. He has written letters to numerous state legislators about the funding inequity issue.

"I haven't really gotten the responses I had hoped for," Scott said.

Rep. Howard Walker, R-Traverse City, has fought to balance state school aid and grant equity payments to lower-funded districts. He said the citizen group is on the right track by trying to broaden understanding.

"That means educating other legislators and citizens around the state," he said. "I think it's making a difference. We have to keep the heat on."

Citizens for Equity is a nonprofit corporation registered with the state. Kilbourne said they'll soon start raising funds to help get the word out and spur formation of more chapters statewide. Members plan to tap parent-teacher organizations and community events for support. The group has a Web site at www.citizensforequity.org.

"At this point we need to keep the ball rolling," Kilbourne. "We need to have everybody on board."

The group's next meeting is July 18 at the Tompkins Boardman Administration Building on Webster Street in Traverse City.