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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Rob Lech, Superintendent of Jamestown Public School District, has begun addressing State Measure #2 and the impact it could have in the future.
The Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund was formed in 1993 to create a safety net for K-12 public education and ensure aid would be provided to school districts in the event of a budget shortfall. The fund uses 10% of the Oil Extraction Tax and deposits it into the fund.
According to Lech, the fund has only been used twice.
The fund replenishes itself on a monthly basis and has since grown to be around $600 million. Lech pointed out that Measure #2 is meant to simplify the language in the law and will not change the amount of dollars deposited into the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund.
Lech says one important thing for voters to consider when they make their decision at the polls in November is that they must determine if a cap on the fund will be enough to provide protection for K-12 public education in North Dakota.
Lech says if approved, the excess money in the fund would be allotted for public education purposes. He says another issue for voters is the “public education definition.” He says the fund was created specifically for K-12 education, but the language doesn’t specify that.
Lech says that if the vote passes, legislature will hopefully introduce and pass legislation that firmly defines “education-related purposes” to match the intention of “K-12 public education.” If the measure does not pass, legislature will be tasked with finding a way to balance the needs of education in a challenging economic environment.
Superintendent Lech pointed out that his purpose of spreading this information was not to sway voters, but rather to give all the information that is available for North Dakota residents to make an informed decision on Measure #2 at the polls in November.
Individuals with questions on Measure #2 or the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund can contact Superintendent Lech at 701-252-1950 or e-mail robert.lech@k12.nd.us.