13 June 2009
Caprio opposes new funding formula
Posted by admin under: News .
Representative David Caprio, District 34, Narragansett, South Kingstown, expressed serious concerns about a proposed school funding formula during a House Finance Committee meeting Wednesday. The legislation, H5978, sponsored by Representative Edith Ajello (D – Providence) creates a permanent funding formula for the State’s 34 school districts.
A formula that entirely eliminates funding for eight school districts is unfair and inequitable on its face,” said Caprio. Both Narragansett and South Kingstown would lose all State aid under the proposed formula. “Further, a total of 22 school districts would get less school aid.”
The formula punishes those districts that have been able to keep their taxes low, negotiate hard contracts, and otherwise operate efficient municipal governments,” said Caprio.
There was testimony that the formula takes into consideration four primary factors: number of students, property tax capacity, student need, and enrollment need.
Representative Caprio suggested that if a community’s funding is eliminated, so should its requirement to follow the costly, unfunded mandates placed upon them by the State. “It’s only fair,” said Caprio, “if the State is not going to provide any funding, then don’t tell us what to do.”
