After Democratic wave, Richmond council members hopeful citys fortunes could change on school ...

[TexasTowelie]

After Democratic wave, Richmond council members hopeful city’s fortunes could change on school funding

Members of the Richmond City Council are optimistic that the wave of Democratic victories on Election Day could renew debate during the upcoming legislative session of how the state funds public education.

Budget spats over funding for Richmond Public Schools in recent years have put the RPS administration and School Board at odds with the mayor and the council. But city leaders across the board have long griped that the state is shorting Richmond, and other urban school divisions, with a funding formula they have characterized as flawed and inequitable, in part, because it does not take into account the demographics of local school divisions and, particularly, how many of its students are living in poverty.

Democrats won big in Tuesday’s House of Delegates races, erasing Republicans’ 32-seat advantage in the chamber. Republicans cling to a slim majority with a handful of recounts pending, but whether they retain control or Democrats seize it, council members say they expect the gains will result in a serious appraisal of the way the state allocates money to local school divisions.

“School funding, I think, is certainly going to be looked at very seriously,” said Council President Chris Hilbert. “Certainly, they’re more poised to look at this issue through the lens of fairness and doing the right thing relative to the older jurisdictions in the commonwealth, with the majority of people who live in poverty.”

Read more: http://www.richmond.com/news/local/city-of-richmond/after-democratic-wave-richmond-council-members-hopeful-city-s-fortunes/article_32b9301e-cbfb-539f-b539-37941d2060f0.html