Past, Present and Future Students FIRST Past, Present and Future

Roosevelt v. Bishop Filed in 1991 Challenged capital finance system on ground that it was not “general and uniform” Arizona Supreme Court issued opinion in 1994 Court held the system was unconstitutional because it was itself the cause of “gross disparities”

Legislative Efforts after Roosevelt Court rejected “Assistance to Build Classroom” legislation in 1997 because it maintained disparities Court rejected first version of “Students First” in 1998

Constitutional Standard State must ensure that school districts have the buildings, facilities and equipment that are necessary and appropriate for students to master the state’s academic standards.

Students FIRST Enacted in 1998 Required that SFB establish minimum facility guidelines Bring schools up to standards and keep them there Deficiency Correction Fund New School Fund Building Renewal Fund

Implementation of Students FIRST Deficiency Corrections New Schools Building Renewal Formula Fully funded only once Litigation to enforce funding the formula

Where Are We Now New Schools Delayed Building Renewal Grant Fund with virtually no money in it

Future Steps Possible approaches Formula Grant Bond equalization Legislation v. Litigation