Children

Can somebody please tell me how sending Montana's school funding issue back to the courts for resolution is going to help the state of Montana? That sure <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/04/07/news/state/52-legifight.txt">sounds like what is going to happen</a>.<br />n<br />n<blockquote>Education groups are mixed on the bill. While they support the idea of state funding for all-day kindergarten, they also believe many schools – particularly smaller ones – need more money for basic needs first. They also want the state's share of school funding increased.<br />n<br />nPete Carparelli, executive director of the Montana Quality Education Coalition, said many school districts are cutting programs and teacher salaries to make ends meet, and added the Senate bill "left a number of our concerns unaddressed."<br />n<br />nHe and other education officials said a return to court over school funding is likely if the bill isn't substantially changed before lawmakers adjourn April 27.<br />n<br />nDave Puyear, director of the Montana Rural Education Association, called the bill's $150 million price tag "misleading" because of the money it includes for all-day kindergarten and a new fund to pay for school maintenance and construction.</blockquote><br />n<br />nSo, the Democratic Senate didn't give enough money to rural districts so if their version passes we will end up in court again. It the houses Republican version passes, they don't allocate enough money for all-day kindergarten so the issue will be back in court again. In simple words, no matter who wins, we the residents of Montana look likely to lose and some Judge will set school funding for the whole state as he sees fit.<br />n<br />nWhy can't these children get together and solve the problem? There are to many egos here and not enough people willing to talk.<br />n<br />n<strong>I never give in to the temptation to be difficult just for the sake of being difficult. That would be too ridiculous. Jacques Derrida </strong>


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