Legislators want more state aid for schools

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PIERRE — Rep. Dean Wink, R-Howes, said there’s some support in the Legislature for giving schools more than the 3 percent maximum in state aid but the revenue forecast isn’t made yet.

There are at least one dozen proposals to provide more funding to K-12 schools in some fashion. Rep. Julie Bartling, D-Gregory, said at a House committee hearing Wednesday the 3 percent has been in effect since the mid-90s and increasing to 4 percent isn’t out of line.

Bartling said the cost would be about $5.6 million and provide $44 or more per student than the governor’s 3 percent recommendation. Her bill, HB 1202, was deferred for action until Monday. Its chances for passage are thin, because Bartling collected only Democrats on its House sponsor list. Republicans have a 53-17 majority in the House.

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