Others vote down bond issues because they don't believe the school district spends tax money wisely. And some critics suspect school districts are exaggerating the problem. They blame school boards for mismanagement or making poor budget decisions. Missteps have occurred, Fulton says. Much of the cost of repairing and building schools has traditionally fallen on local property taxpayers.
Schools thrive in areas with lots of property to tax.
Those in depressed areas are strapped for cash. This growing gap between rich and poor districts has prompted parents and school districts to sue in several states, including Arizona, Ohio and New Jersey. State courts have sided with the poorer schools, ordering state lawmakers to make financing formulas more equitable. Some states, including Virginia, Florida, Illinois, California and Kentucky, have allocated more money to repair schools. Some are giving more money just to poor districts.