Standardized test results just came in: Its ninth-graders did second best in the state in math, language arts and reading combined.

        Then there's that other boo hoo — the new football field. At no cost to the district, local athletic supporters are raising about $260,000 to install artificial turf, a luxury at the high-school level. The city is pitching in, as is former Bengal Cris Collinsworth.

        Yeah, Fort Thomas is a sad case, all right.

        Smart kids, devoted teachers, supportive parents — and a state education system that appears to be punishing its success.

New math

        Once upon a time, Kentucky children got whatever schooling their communities could afford. Kids in rich regions enjoyed rich schools; kids in poor ones got cheated.

        Then came the 1990 reform act. To correct the disparity, districts with low property values and disadvantaged kids began receiving extra money from the state.

        The Covington school district, for example, now gets about $9,200 per student in state, federal and local money. By that measure, it's the fourth richest district in Kentucky, even though about 80 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.

        By contrast, Fort Thomas' spending ranks it 159th out of 176 districts. It gets about $5,500 per pupil — $3,700 less than Covington.

        This isn't as out-of-whack as it might seem. Covington kids have more disadvantages: a higher poverty rate and more learning disabilities, for instance. Despite its wealth, Covington's test scores are among the lowest in the state.

        I'd say Fort Thomas should count its blessings, except that there's another sort of unfairness going on here. It has to do with taxes.

        In cities like Fort Thomas, property values keep going up while kids remain relatively untroubled. So the state cuts funding to Fort Thomas schools, expecting higher tax collections to make up the difference.

        This sounds fair but often isn't. Here's why.

        Under another state law, property taxes can't go up more than 4 percent a year without voter approval. So if assessments increase by, say, 10 percent, the tax rate must be cut accordingly.

        This little twist isn't factored into the school funding formula. The state adjusts its payments to districts based on assessment increases, ignoring the 4 percent limit, Fort Thomas Superintendent Larry Stinson says.

        To cut costs this year, Fort Thomas had to cut two teachers from the middle school and eliminate two positions in the central office.

        Its kids continue to do well. But eventually, something has to give.

        I'm betting it will be local taxpayers, who already support about 54 percent of Fort Thomas' budget, compared to 30 percent in Covington. If voters were to agree, that burden could increase.

        This hardly seems fair. Kentucky has done well in lifting up poor schools. Now it must make sure not to slight its best ones.

        Contact: kgutierrez@enquirer.com or 859-578-5584.

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