Thomas W. Kimbrell

Summary

Justice Brown dissented from the majority's interpretation of the uniform rate of tax (URT) funding scheme, arguing that state-distributed URT revenues exceeding foundation-funding amounts could not be retained by property-wealthier school districts. He reasoned that the constitutional and statutory scheme requires the State to distribute URT revenues in a manner consistent with educational equality, while permitting additional funding only through locally approved taxes. Chief Justice Hannah and Special Justice Ellis, dissenting separately, likewise would have rejected the majority's wealth-based interpretation of the funding statutes.