More education funds, no funding formula reform

June 3, 2026 - 08:25

The state has demonstrated what funding might look like at a higher foundation level, and that has created confusion and false hope among school districts. Lawmakers approved a significant increase in education spending for the upcoming fiscal year, yet they left the core funding formula untouched. This decision means that while some districts will see a noticeable boost in per-student dollars, others will continue to struggle with the same structural inequities that have plagued the system for years.

The confusion stems from a one-time demonstration model released by the state budget office. That model showed what allocations would be if the foundation level were raised to a certain threshold, but it was not tied to any actual legislative change. School boards and superintendents, seeing those numbers, began planning for a windfall. Now they are left scrambling to adjust budgets based on the final, less generous numbers.

Critics argue that without reforming the formula itself, the state is simply pouring more money into a broken system. The current formula relies heavily on local property tax revenue, which means wealthy districts already receive more funding per student than poorer ones. The new appropriation does little to close that gap. Rural and urban districts with low property values will still face difficult choices about staffing, programs, and facility maintenance.

Supporters of the increase say it is a necessary first step. They point out that even without formula reform, the additional funds will help cover rising costs for special education, transportation, and health insurance. But they acknowledge that true equity will require a complete overhaul of how the state distributes education dollars. For now, the message from the capitol is clear: more money is coming, but the rules for dividing it up are not changing.