Commission weighs in on public school funding

A commission working since September to address funding of public schools released several recommendations June 2.

“We have met regularly and made significant progress, including a review of Delaware’s current system, alternate funding models and the impact of Delaware’s local revenue framework,” said Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Brandywine, chair of the Public Education Funding Commission, in a press release. “Our work these past months has been guided by a commitment to five core values: adequacy, equity, flexibility, transparency and accountability.”

During its June 2 meeting, commission members voted to pursue a hybrid framework toward the adoption of a new funding formula. According to the press release, a hybrid funding framework would blend elements of the current unit-count system with a weighted block grant approach. The commission supports providing additional weighted funding for students with greater needs, such as low-income backgrounds, English learners and students with disabilities, and supports dedicated funding for educators based on the number of and characteristics of students and in accordance with the statewide salary scale. 

To implement a new funding formula, the release states, a three- to five-year plan should consider revenue needed for the phase-in. 

“The commission is committed to ensuring that local education agencies do not receive less funding during a transition to the new funding formula,” the release states.

More meetings are recommended for the commission to discuss local wealth differences in state and local education funding after reassessment data is available. This includes equalization funding and referendum reform, the release states.

The commission also recommended looping in more parents, community leaders and public engagement to gather input.

Gov. Matt Meyer issued a statement supporting the commission’s work.

“After many decades, we are finally united in making progress. While the work is far from done, the show of support tonight demonstrates that change is possible on this issue. I asked for progress by this summer, and the members of the PEFC delivered. I want to thank the members of the PEFC for their unanimous votes to move forward with a more flexible framework that prioritizes students who need greater support. I want to particularly thank Sen. Laura Sturgeon, Sen. Eric Buckson, Rep. Kim Williams and PEFC Vice Chair Marcus Wright for their leadership on this critical issue,” he said.

Delaware State Education Association President Stephanie Ingram also supported the recommendations.