Schools to meet with local lawmakers; city BOE says they want assurances of funding, local control – Rome News-Tribune: Education

The Rome City Board of Education narrowed down on Tuesday exactly what it wants to present to local lawmakers at a joint meeting with the Floyd County Board of Education in January.

After discussion, funding and local control emerged as the two issues that most concern the Rome school board.

“In the last 10 years, our schools system has been denied $24.8 million dollars in earned funds,” Superintendent Jeff Bearden said. “Of that amount, $18.2 million has been withheld in the last five years alone. That is huge issue for our school system.”

Bearden said the funding cut is the reason why the school system cannot afford to hold classes the full 190-day school year — why there are eight furlough days.

Coupled with the loss of funding is the fact that the current funding formula is based on 1985 dollars, Bearden added.

A foreseen loss of local control is also a concern of the board. Bearden said every system in the state is supposed to decide by 2015 on a permanent way of operating.

Under the rules of a charter system or an Investing in Educational Excellence system, the local school board enters into a contract with the state — getting funding in exchange for meeting set performance standards. With the third, or “status quo,” option, the local school board maintains its authority under the current Quality Basic Education Act.

via Schools to meet with local lawmakers; city BOE says they want assurances of funding, local control – Rome News-Tribune: Education.