Although the St. Louis case is still pending, officials expect a similar conclusion there. In anticipation of the court withdrawals, St. Louis business leaders have been warning the urban schools would suffer catastrophic consequences if the extra state funding were to evaporate suddenly. It is unfair to taxpayers to shift money back with very little accountability. House said provisions in the bill that would give the state a stronger oversight role are not enough to assure the money is being used to improve education for at-risk students. U.S. District Judge Russell Clark admitted that the desegregation state funding he ordered resulted in a top-heavy administration that has left much of the money unaccounted for.
Critics say the Kansas City district has grown far worse.
Minorities have not scored better on standardized tests and continue to fair poorly. 360 would simply put the money back into those schools. House contends that more incentives are needed for the urban districts to use the money wisely. It is difficult to get them to focus on learning. The costs are simply higher.