South Dakota Schools "Adequately Funded"

Chet Brokaw:

State Education Secretary Rick Melmer testified Thursday he believes South Dakota's school districts get enough money.

"Do I believe they're adequately funded? The answer is yes," Melmer said in the trial of a lawsuit challenging the state's education funding system.

Melmer was called as a witness by lawyers representing parents and children who filed the lawsuit. They are supported by nearly 100 of the state's 168 school districts. The education secretary also will testify as an expert witness for the state when state lawyers start presenting their defense to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges the state is violating the South Dakota Constitution by underfunding public school districts, but the state contends the funding system is constitutional and provides students with adequate opportunity.

This must be a first, coming from an education Administrator.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at September 13, 2008 4:33 AM
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