Opinion ID: 2124044
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Defining the Relevant Terms and Funding Programs

Text: Despite the more equalized funding throughout the state, plaintiffs contend that the referendum levy, supplemental revenue, debt service levy, and training and experience (T & E) statutes should be declared unconstitutional. While the trial court found for plaintiffs with respect to the first three programs, it declared the T & E statute constitutional, and this finding is not challenged on appeal to this court. Currently, state funding is fully equalized for the approximately 93% of state funding attributable to the basic revenue formula. However, the remaining 7% of funding is not equalized and is often left to local control. The largest component of this additional funding is the referendum levy, and it comprises 6.3% of overall funding. Because this is the largest component of the non-equalized 7% and the one which has the greatest wealth disparity between districts, much of our analysis will focus on this factor. Nevertheless, we will briefly outline the current structure of each of the three funding programs  referendum levy, supplemental revenue, and debt service levy  challenged here on appeal.