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Judge Says He's Siding With Arkansas In School Funding Case

Judge Chris Piazza
Arkansas Times

An Arkansas judge says he's siding with the state in a lawsuit that claims legislators didn't adequately fund public schools. He cited missteps in some areas but said he found nothing that violates the state's constitution.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza said in a memorandum opinion issued Wednesday that the issues raised by Deer/Mount Judea School District didn't amount to a violation of the state's constitution. Piazza asked attorneys for the district and the state to draft a written order reflecting his findings.

The district had claimed lawmakers had failed to provide adequate funding for instruction, transportation and teacher's salaries.

Piazza called the case a "shot across the bow" in Arkansas' long-running school funding fights but said not one that required the court to intervene.

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