The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that the state legislature does not have to fully fund a school budget formula put into law two decades ago.
Twenty-one districts sued the state in 2014, seeking more than $235 million to make up for years of shortfalls from 2010 to 2015—some years when lawmakers didn’t fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. The formula is designed to give districts enough money to meet mid-level academic standards.
A multiyear package of state tax cuts is also starting to take effect. While supporters say the cuts should spur economic growth, critics say they will further squeeze the budget, including money for schools.
