School funding suit could be coming to close: ; Settlement may be next step; case dates to 1975

DAILY MAIL STAFF

The statewide school funding lawsuit that began 25 years ago isheaded toward settlement proceedings, and lawyers hope it may beresolved this week. Attorneys for the state Department ofEducation, the state superintendent, the state Board of Education,the state Legislature and the governor's office told Ohio CountyCircuit Judge Arthur Recht this morning in Kanawha Circuit Courtthat they have entered into settlement discussions with plaintiffs'attorneys.

Plaintiffs' attorneys say the state has been remiss in providingadequate funding for the state's public schools.

Dan Hedges, the plaintiffs' attorney who first brought the suitto court in 1975 …