Public education funding in the past 40 years has increased significantly, with parties turning to the judiciary in order to address perceived educational opportunity inequities arising from state education finance distribution formulas. As the 21st century opens, the question of public education finance is set squarely before the courts. This…

In the educational finance litigation context, recent actions have been premised on the argument that the aid distribution system is fiscally inadequate, thus drawing attention away from a concern for equity. The financing of public education in North Carolina and the constitutional provisions undergirding the same have been the subject of…

Examines and addresses the major issues involved in school districts voluntarily filing for protection under the control and supervision of Chapter 9 of the Federal Bankruptcy Act. Discusses legal and managerial alternatives and examines the most recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the rejection of collective bargaining contracts under the act.…

Examines early retirement plans (ERPs) for public school teachers, compares them with private-sector ERPs, and notes legal considerations involving ERPs' impact on regular retirement systems. Discusses methods for cost analyses of ERPs and proposes a model for assessing an ERP's fiscal impact on a school district. (RW)

In "Kadrmas v. Dickinson," suit was brought challenging the constitutionality of a North Dakota statute allowing certain public school districts to charge user fees for transporting students. In 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not require states to offer such services. The decision seriously erodes equal educational…

Examined disequalizing effects of two nonvoted millage rates (discretionary millage and the school capital improvement millage) when combined with revenues obtained through the equalized foundation portion of the Florida Education Finance Program. Although discretionary levies add a slightly disequalizing component to the foundation program…