Opinion ID: 2328281
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Plaintiffs' Challenge to Funding Reductions

Text: In fiscal years (FY) 1991 through 1994, reductions in the state subsidy occurred as a result of the state's inability to pay the total sum recommended by the Commissioner of Education. The Legislature reduced the total state expenditure primarily on a percentage basis, and amended the Act to reduce each school unit's subsidy by the same percentage. [2] Plaintiffs brought an action against the Commissioner of Education challenging on the ground of equal protection the percentage funding reductions made in the state subsidies. [3] At trial, plaintiffs challenged the manner in which the available funds for education were distributed. They did not challenge the adequacy of the education in their school units. Testimony at trial principally involved comparisons of the equity or fairness of the school finance system after the funding reductions compared to the equity before the reductions. [4] Plaintiffs' expert witness, Dr. James Guthrie, presented a series of equity measurements to determine disparities in per pupil revenues. He concluded that Maine's school finance distribution had become substantially less equitable over the period of funding reductions. Defendant's expert witness, Dr. John Augenblick, who examined equity using expenditure data, could not draw a conclusion that the funding reductions had an impact on the equity of the funding system. The court found that the challenged amendments implementing the funding reductions were constitutional, and entered a judgment for defendant. Plaintiffs appeal.