Opinion ID: 2632256
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sources of Public School Funding

Text: ¶ 8 Petitioners contend 11 O.S.2001, § 22-159 is unconstitutional in that it violates Art. 13, § 1; Art. 5, § 46 and Art. 21, § 1 of the Oklahoma Constitution. In determining the constitutionality of the subject Act, this court is guided in its consideration thereof by well established general precedents. In construing the constitutionality of a statute, the Supreme Court is not authorized to consider its propriety, desirability, wisdom, or its practicability as a working proposition. Those questions are clearly and definitely established by our fundamental law to a certainty as functions of the legislative department of government. The function of the court is clearly limited to the determination of the validity or invalidity of the act. There is a presumption that the Act is constitutional. Application of Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Auth., 1960 OK 207, ¶¶ 8, 9, 355 P.2d 1028, 1031. ¶ 9 Petitioners argue Const. Art. 13, § 1 limits funding of public school systems to state funds. [3] As such, they reason that 11 O.S.2001, § 22-159 is unconstitutional because it provides for municipal support of public school systems. We disagree. Const. Art. 13, § 1 neither discusses nor limits funding sources for public school districts to state funds. If two constructions are possible, one which would uphold the statute and one which would strike it down, it is our duty to apply the constitutional construction. City of Oklahoma City v. Oklahoma Tax Commission, 1990 OK 27, ¶ 10, 789 P.2d 1287, 1292, citing in footnote 11,  State v. Goforth, 772 P.2d 911, 914 (Okla.1989); Earl v. Tulsa County Dist. Court, 606 P.2d 545, 547-48 (Okla.1979). Petitioners' construction would preclude the well-established procedure whereby counties levy ad valorem taxes to support public school districts pursuant to Const. Art. 10, § 9. Indeed, § 9(b) requires counties to support public school districts. Therefore, Petitioners' argument that Art. 13, § 1 limits funding of public school systems to state funds must fail.