Adequacy Lawsuit Seeks Better Future for Georgia

On September 14, 2004, the Consortium for Adequate School Funding in Georgia, a coalition of 51 of the state's 180 school districts, along with individual parents, filed a lawsuit against the State seeking adequate school funding for Georgia's schools. The Consortium v. State suit is based on the education article of the Georgia Constitution which makes "provision of an adequate public education" . . . "a primary obligation of the State."

According to Joe Martin, Executive Director of the Consortium, "The under-funding of Georgia's schools has become so severe - and the prospects for a legislative solution are so remote - that the Consortium has no choice but to take this action." Dr. William "Al" Hunter, President of the Consortium said that the lawsit "is about the future of Georgia [and] standing up for our children."

Plaintiffs are rural school districts, but the Consortium emphasized its desire to benefit all students and school systems in Georgia, not to help some at the expense of others. Consortium members also emphasized their wilingness to cooperate with the state to develop short- and long-term solutions.

Prepared by Molly A. Hunter, September 16, 2004