Information Alert: Stump your local politican

Victoria Cobb, President
Monday, October 29, 2007

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The next time you have a politician talk to you about why they should be elected to the Virginia General Assembly, ask them this question: Can you please explain to me what rebenchmarking the SOQs means and how its done?

You can expect a blank stare, a role of the eyes, or a deer-in-the-headlights expression, more than likely followed by a long, convoluted answer that adds up to, "No, I have no idea what any of that means, all I know is we do it every two years."

The answer to the question is no doubt a complicated one. Virginia public schools are funded based on the Standards of Quality (SOQs), which are driven by how much staff local school districts say they need. Every two years, the SOQs are "rebenchmarked," which means they are run through a bizarre formula that always means one thing and one thing alone - government schools in Virginia are going to get a truck load of more money from the taxpayers.

During the 2008 General Assembly session, elected officials will work on the next two year budget for the Commonwealth, and already estimates are that "rebenchmarking the SOQs" will cost Virginians at least $1.5 billion in addition spending. Frankly, the only way for Virginia to continue paying for this biannual increase is through a massive, statewide tax increase. No politician wants to tell you that, but it is the only way for the current system to work.

But there is a better way!

In yesterday's Richmond Times Dispatch, Lil Tuttle, executive director of the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute and former member of the state school board, lays out a new and better way to fund public education. It is similar to the way all but four states in the nation do it.

Instead of basing funding on inputs (the archaic, pay off the teachers unions system), it would base funding on outcomes (the children, think the children). The money is student driven instead of staff driven. One example Tuttle gives is of a school district that saw enrollment reduced by 425, but the number of staff increase by 470! Can anyone honestly say that is an efficient way to spend taxpayer dollars (other than the educrats and their unions)?

Unfortunately, most politicians in Richmond, regardless of political party, are pathetically fearful of the Virginia Education Association and the other government school unions. Few are willing to stand up to this third rail of Virginia politics. Until that happens, expect to pay far more for failing inner city schools, more and more staff in schools that are decreasing enrollment, and watch the money flow from the VEA to General Assembly members who fail in their jobs to protect the best interest of children in Virginia.

Go to The Family Foundation blog to make a comment.