Matters of Fact -- Rural Policy Matters, Volume 1, Number 9 (November 1999)

Turns Out Equity Rates High, Even on Wall Street...
It was a bad day for the enemies of equity in school finance when Moody's Investors Service upgraded Vermont's general obligation bond rating to Aa1 from Aa2 in September. Opponents of the state's new school finance system, which gives all districts equal access to the property tax base, had warned it would dampen economic growth and ruin the state's bond rating. Alas, Moody's said the high quality rating reflects the state's "consistent and balanced economic expansion, conservative budget and other financial management policies, and successful restructuring of the state system of financing public education."

Stats available on service-learning and community service
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has released a study entitled "Service-Learning and Community Service in K-12 Public Schools." Findings indicate that there has been an increase in the percentage of public schools incorporating community service and service learning over the past decade. Rural and small schools, however, are less likely than their urban and larger counterparts to have either type of program. The report is available on the web at http://www.nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=1999043 or by calling 202.219.1366.

Nebraska voters will have their day in court
A federal lawsuit against the Governor, Attorney General, and Commissioner of Education of the State of Nebraska is proceeding after a US District judge ruled that the plaintiffs had a legitimate complaint. The plaintiffs, six voters residing in Nebraska Class I school districts (elementary only districts), argue that recent state laws have violated their rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution to be treated the same as voters in other school districts. The plaintiffs' complaint is based on the fact that current laws prevent them from voting for a school board, thereby eliminating the right to set budgets and levy taxes to fund their schools. The case is set for trial in January 2000.

Consolidation pays in North Dakota (or does it?)
In North Dakota, where school enrollments are declining, legislators have earmarked $4 million from the anticipated state surplus to aid schools experiencing dwindling enrollments. Assuming there is money to be spent, the state will distribute funds based on the average daily enrollment to schools that have lower enrollments during the 1999-2000 school year than they had in 1994-95. Half of the $4 million will be used as "reorganization bonuses" for school districts that consolidate. The bonus will be calculated using a formula based on square mileage and student enrollment. No word on what will happen if there's no money left over to be spent

Small schools research
"Current Literature on Small Schools" (1999), an overview of research literature on the effectiveness of small schools by Mary Anne Raywid, is available from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools by calling 800.624.9120 or by visiting their website at www.ael.org/eric.