A lawsuit that’s delaying the implementation of Missouri’s student transfer law in the Kansas City area was heard Wednesday by the Missouri Supreme Court. At issue is a lower court ruling that declared the law to be an unfunded mandate for schools in Independence, North Kansas City and Lee’s Summit, but not for Blue Springs and Raytown.
Attorney Duane Martin argued Blue Springs’ position before the High Court, saying it would be an unfunded mandate for them as well.
"The state is mandating that a political subdivision actually engage in a new service or activity," says Martin. "It will be a shift from the state to the local taxpayer in exactly the way that’s prohibited by the (state) constitution."
The state argued that the tuition formula includes debt service that will easily cover the cost of mobile classroom space, furniture and equipment Blue Springs schools would have to buy.
The State Supreme Court will issue its ruling at a later date.