Two North Dakota education groups say they are supporting a measure on the ballot that would allow the state Legislature to access money that has been put in the foundation aid stabilization fund.
The fund cannot be accessed until a Governor orders a budget allotment. That fund is then used to make K-12 education whole.
"It is a trapped asset," said ND United president Nick Archuleta. His group -- along with the ND Council of Educational Leaders -- say the measure should pass.
Archuelta said without the flexibility from the measure, it is unlikely that K-12 education will be fully funded in the upcoming biennium.
"If we do nothing, there is no doubt education will face pretty serious funding cuts," Archuleta said in an interview. "If it does not pass, we are faced with one of two choices: Either raise property taxes, or make serious cuts."
Archuleta said since most districts are already topped out in terms of mill levies, the only option would be to make cuts.
The North Dakota School Boards Association opposes Measure two – saying the Legislature could raid and drain those funds and use it for other purposes. Archuleta said he’s been assured by Legislative leaders that the money will have to be used for K-12.
