Alabama Adequacy Plan Calls for 50% Increase in School Funding

In the ongoing ACE v. Siegelman school funding case, the Alabama state Board of Education recently submitted a plan for upgrading Alabama schools to a Montgomery County Circuit Court. The plan would cost about $1.4 billion statewide, a 50% increase over the $2.9 billion Alabama is spending this year on its K-12 public schools. This cost study, unlike those performed in some states, does include structural repairs for school buildings, at $438 million.

While explaining the plan, developed by the State Department of Education over the past two years, state Education Superintendent Richardson said that he was "embarrassed and angry" because the plan only aspires to "just adequate" schools, not good schools. He also noted that funding the plan would first require reform of the state's constitution and tax structure. Alabama education advocacy organizations have been seeking reforms of the constitution for some time because it effectively blocks adequate school funding.

Unfortunately, a slower economy makes increased funding difficult. Last year, falling state revenues led to a 6.2% cut in state funding of education. For more information, see the A+ Education Foundation and The Huntsville Times.