Transition To Local Control Likely To Be Painful
If those opposed to Common Core are to be successful, local school districts may have more control than they've had in years. Are they prepared for it?
Kirkwood school district, one which could be locally controlled today since so very little of their operating budget comes from the state, has taken what has come from the state as a matter of course. Like many school districts they have enjoyed modest increases in their budget for a number of years, and have had the benefit of being able to pass bond issues or tax increases with relative ease because of their property values and demographics.
In fact, getting property tax money from Kirkwood residents has been so easy that they have a veritable war chest in their "maintenance" fund. In August 2010 they went to the voters with two bond initiatives which each needed 57-58 percent to pass. Prop 1 built new classrooms across the district, new cafeterias, and science labs, passed by a margin of 400 or so votes. Prop 2 which would have built a new swimming pool complex, new
Kirkwood school district, one which could be locally controlled today since so very little of their operating budget comes from the state, has taken what has come from the state as a matter of course. Like many school districts they have enjoyed modest increases in their budget for a number of years, and have had the benefit of being able to pass bond issues or tax increases with relative ease because of their property values and demographics.
In fact, getting property tax money from Kirkwood residents has been so easy that they have a veritable war chest in their "maintenance" fund. In August 2010 they went to the voters with two bond initiatives which each needed 57-58 percent to pass. Prop 1 built new classrooms across the district, new cafeterias, and science labs, passed by a margin of 400 or so votes. Prop 2 which would have built a new swimming pool complex, new