The Real "C" to School Reform

It`s not consolidation, and it`s the one thing all lawmakers can agree on: no issue is more complex than school reform. "It is very complicated. I`ve heard people who know a lot more about education than I do say it`s the most complicated issue they`ve ever had," says Rep. Leroy Dangeau ([D] Wynne). "Anyone who thinks [reform] can be done quickly needs to get involved and you`ll find very quickly that it is a complicated issue." Most lawmakers say the General Assembly needs to answer four major questions: 1.) what kind of funding formula should be used? 2.) how will it be paid for? 3.) how will accountability be factored in? and 4.) how will restructuring be incorporated? With so many big issues and such a short amount of time to tackle them (the court-imposed deadline is Jan. 1st), lawmakers say they`re still hopeful all of the big questions will be answered. At the very least, they`re hoping to get the funding formula hammered out in order to avoid more lawsuits in the future.