This op ed about Scott County explains issues being faced by many districts. We find part of the problem is districts don’t want to appear “political” or ungrateful for the aid they are receiving and don’t do a good job of explaining how the game changed when the recession hit. We also find the point on the increased cap on local funding particularly significant.

“The Joke Called ‘Local Control’
In response, the legislature has wiggled out of some of its responsibility by promising ‘local control.’ Everyone loves local control, right?
What it really means is the legislature is giving local school districts more latitude to tax themselves to offset funding that isn’t coming from the state.”

It’s important to remember that for many districts the funding increases resulting from HB 2506 are not because the state increased funding, but because it gave local districts the ability to increase their own property taxes. It’s also important to note that the increases only partially make up for funding cut during the recession that has not been restored. http://www.hayspost.com/2014/05/20/anger-revenge-shouldnt-be-motives-in-local-school-funding-decision/