Missouri Supreme Court Upholds School Funding Formula

Intro:	The Missouri Supreme Court says there is nothing wrong with the way the state's school funding formula. Max Reiss (REECE) has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Ending a 15 year court ordeal, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled the state's school funding formula is constitutional.

Republican Senator Charlie Shields sponsored the legislation 4 years ago and says the formula will continue to yield positive results.

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Description: It is working, I mean we're in the fourth year of the formula and it takes seven years to phase in and at that time, we will have increased spending for K through 12 education by a billion dollars a year.

Opponents say the formula unfairly allocates money to wealthier school districts instead of those with more "at risk" children.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Max Reiss. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

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Intro:	The Missouri Supreme Court says the state's school funding formula is effective and constitutional, ending a four year legal battle. Max Reiss (REECE) has more form Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Missouri's high court ruled Tuesday that the state's school funding formula is perfectly legal and within the guidelines of the state constitution.

Republican Senator Charlie Shields sponsored the school formula law back in 2005 and says the court's decision didn't surprise him.

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Description: This is a a significant increase in school funding and it again, it's designed to focus on how much it actually costs to educate a child.

This court case cost roughly 6 million dollars on both sides.

Those against the formula say it unfairly gives money to wealthy school districts.

Reporting from the State Supreme Court, I'm Max Reiss. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

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Intro:	The state's high court decision to uphold the school funding formula leaves opponents unfulfilled with how the state allocates money to school districts. Max Reiss (REECE) has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: It took more than 4 years but the State Supreme Court decided the state's school funding system is fully legal and fair.

Alex Bartlett represented more than 200 districts around Missouri in the case and says the ruling is a blow for children in underprivileged areas.

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Description: I think the ball is now in the legislative arena to look at what they adopted a few years ago and make some corrections in the process because the disparities are still there.

Supporters say the formula is completely fair and in the coming years will inject a billion dollars into state education funding.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Max Reiss. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

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Intro:	Opponents to the state's education funding formula take a major blow as the Missouri Supreme Court rules it to be constitutional and adequate. Max Reiss (REECE) has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: The court's decision to uphold the state's school funding formula comes after 4 years of arguments and 6 million dollars in legal costs.

Alex Bartlett represented less than half of the state's school districts who sued the state and says now it's up to the legislature to fix any funding disparities.

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Description: The problems are still there and the court has said that it must be addressed by the. . . you know it's for the. . . other branches of government to address.

Those who supported the decision said the funding formula works fine and once it completely phases in by 2012, will add an extra billion dollars yearly to schools statewide.

Reporting from the Missouri Supreme Court, I'm Max Reiss. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

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