Some foldin’ money

EVER found a 20-dollar bill folded up in a coat pocket? What the . . . hey! Or maybe digging out some sunglasses from your purse, there are a couple of tens! How’d those get there?

But, neat. Nobody complains about that kinda luck.

The state of Arkansas-that’s all of us-has found more than a couple of tens in its purse. Over the last fiscal year that ended in June, the state generated a budget surplus of $299.5 million. Round it up. Let’s say a cool $300 million. That’s a lot of tens and twenties.

What to do with it, what to do with it? What would you do with an extra 300 mil? What should the state do with it? Here’s an idea: Spend it wisely. And one way to do that would be . . . .

The ladies and gentlemen of the General Assembly, in a fit of common sense, voted in the last session to reward schools that actually educate the kids. As in reward them with money. That is, cold cash. Legislation passed granting more money to schools that earn an A or B in the statewide ratings. Those schools that earn an A would get $100 for each student at the school, and B-rated schools would get $50 a student. The money could be used for whatever good purpose the schools can get approved by the state.

Why be satisfied with just talking about education? Why not encourage it? Not a whole lot of money has been dedicated to the program yet. The governor came up with $7 million to spend on the rewards program next year, and he deserves two cheers for that. (Before he came through, the program was approved, just not funded.) Governor Beebe’s $7-million grant from his discretionary fund is much appreciated.

But to put that amount in perspective, consider that the state spends $4 billion-with a B-on public education these days. The $7 million going to this reward program was never going to be enough.

Now the state has an extra $300 million in the bank. Why not put some of that money where it can do a world of good? Or at least a state of good?

How about putting some of it toward improving public education in Arkansas-by rewarding our best schools, teachers, principals and programs? A lack of money is no excuse. Not any longer. Just part of that $300 million could go a long way toward funding this reward program not only for next year, but for the next several years. Then all our leaders would rate three cheers. Let’s do it. It’s not often you find this many tens and twenties.