The idea seems sound, as some schools need more funding than others based on the communities they serve. I know in Taupo there is quite a difference between the schools, and converse to expectations the lower decile school is in worse condition then the higher one....when the system is supposed to have higher funding for the lower decide school.

Now is it purely because the community surrounding the higher decile school is able to give that much more money....I don't know.

Maybe a funding model based on each individual student would be better....much higher administration requirement, but it could be done. I don't know exactly how a school is funded, but the I know at least some of the budget is based on number of students. Is there a base amount to maintain buildings and grounds with an allowance for each student added on top...not sure.

[–] liv 2 points 1 year ago

It's definitely because of community funding and maybe a bit because of Board of Trustee skillsets and education levels which affect choices and access to funding streams. High decile schools have entire buildings, theatres, swimming pools etc built from donations.

Iirc the literal decile system got an overhaul and is called something else now, but it looks like the same basic principles.