ÿWPCuH ÑÕOMø¿ýÂüö!ð…̧‹‹Áƒ û–CÚ€µ€YPùï}LÆ‘¨£ O¦Pã9©nߙԔ9Cnh«:Ê'yø‹@_\d÷q@àëQa+‡Ÿã1]N¦4ˆd:YK§ò™.r°—FÖw¥˜èJKù­ªõ·'Ú68â±@¸„ï(Ÿá Ôëþøʺ,½`‚vÉÿØDÛ8x¬º¡+þÚÙjë>r7Íßê;Û¬½Ž"õ«ê欴ªËô¹ @—ãüj÷3Ö U+ƒ«,ÈäÂø®<Ï ó#’t uz0ððëkøGƒà°lX$‹Ä!žz7Ü®êé%€'(k§+ú.¡ 1 1­5­5­5­5­5­5bÃ7xË7ðC:C:C:C:µ3=Œè>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è>è> 0ëtCtCtCtC B_D_D 0¤|D D3 E D-SE 0K€E€E ASËEÆF 0¤äF 0DˆG A©ÌG˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPT ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt:€H-s š‚,-¢Ø+00Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 53|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÆúI Z‹(Times New Roman  îÝ ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú15Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€We€recognize,€for€example,€that€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€did€not€specifically€address€whetherò ò€ó óthe€legislature€couldÐ ° Ðdevise€another€way€of€addressing€the€issue€of€teachersðð€salaries€besides€making€salaries€a€component€of€the€BEP€itself,Ð vÆ Ðalthough€that€continues€to€seem€to€us€to€be€the€simplest€and€most€effective€way€of€solving€the€problem.€€Indeed,€the€firstÐ :Š Ðtime€this€case€was€before€us,€this€Court€observed€that€the€means€whereby€the€state€could€achieve€its€constitutionalÐ þN Ðobligation€to€provide€substantially€equal€educational€opportunities€is€a€legislative€prerogative€and€that€the€legislatureððsÐ Â Ðpower€in€this€regard€is€extensive.€€òòÔ‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔSmall€Schools€Ióó,€851€S.W.2d€at€141,€156.€€Similarly,€we€observed€in€òòSmall€SchoolsÐ †Ö ÐIIóó€that€the€architects€of€the€BEP€could€have€made€teachersðð€salaries€ð ða€separate€category€of€funding.ðð€€òòóó894€S.W.2d€at€Ô#†ôàÕòòôàÕl#ÔÔ‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔòòóó738.Ô#†ôàÕòòôàÕ¢#Ô(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó €MCWHERTER SysMcWherter BEPDrowotaAdolphoDonelsonBolingEylerintervenorsreviewable TFPt]eachers Tran †Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€following€county€school€systems€are€identified€in€the€notice€of€appeal€as€plaintiffs„appellants:€€Ô_ÔCrockettÔ_Ô,Ð ° ÐÔ_ÔGrundyÔ_Ô,€Hancock,€Hickman,€Overton,€Pickett,€Trousdale,€and€Wayne.€€ ¶Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Ô‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔTheò ò€ó óð ðreachò ò„ó ódownò òððó ó€statute,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„3„201(d)(1),€provides€that€the€ð ðsupreme€court€may,€uponÐ ° Ðthe€motion€of€any€party,€assume€jurisdiction€over€an€undecided€case€in€which€a€notice€of€appeal€.€.€.€is€filed€before€anyÐ vÆ Ðintermediate€state€appellate€court€.€.€.€.ðð€€The€statute€applies€ð ðonly€to€cases€of€unusual€public€importance€in€which€thereÐ :ŠýT Ðis€a€special€need€for€expedited€decision€and€which€involve:€(A)€State€taxes;€(B)€The€right€to€hold€or€retain€public€office;Ð ° Ðor€(C)€Issues€of€constitutional€law.ððÔ#†ôàÕòòôàÕ#Ô€€Ô‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔÔ‡&Ï %òôàÕÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„3„201(d)(2)Ô#†ôàÕò %&Ï[#ÔÔ‡&Ï %òôàÕÔ(Supp.€2001)Ô#†ôàÕò %&ÏÀ#ÔÔ#†ôàÕòòôàÕ<#ÔÔ‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔÔ‡&Ï %òôàÕÔ.Ô#†&Ï % %&Ï1#ÔÔ#†ôàÕò %&ÏP#Ô (Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€A€countyððs€fiscal€capacity€is€calculated€using€a€formula€developed€by€the€Tennessee€Advisory€CommissionÐ ° Ðon€Intergovernmental€Relations.€€Each€countyððs€fiscal€capacity€is€expressed€as€a€percentage€of€the€total€capacity€of€allÐ tÄ Ðcounties€in€the€State€and€is€based€on€its€sales€tax€base,€property€tax€base,€and€income.€€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€894€S.W.2d€atÐ 8ˆ Ð737.€€ “Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Under€the€BEP,€the€Stateððs€share€of€classroom€components€is€seventy„five€percentò ò,ó ó€and€the€local€schoolÐ ° Ðdistrictsðð€share€is€twenty„five€percent.€€Ô‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„356Ô#†ôàÕòòôàÕ1#Ô.€€ oÝ ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€In€òòSmall€Schools€Ióó,€we€discussed€the€plan€developed€by€the€State€Board€of€Education€at€the€direction€of€theÐ ° ÐGeneral€Assembly,€which€included€factors€to€consider€ð ðdifferences€in€competitive€salaries€earned€in€different€counties.ðð€Ð tÄ ÐIndeed,€we€noted€that€the€defendant€asked€the€Court€to€take€judicial€notice€of€the€plan,€which€had€not€yet€been€enacted,Ð 8ˆ Ðin€support€of€its€position€that€the€education€system€was€adequate.€€851€S.W.2d€at€146„47.€€As€noted,€however,€the€planÐ üL Ðas€eventually€enacted€by€the€legislature€did€not€include€teachersðð€salaries.€€The€result€has€been€years€of€litigation€andÐ À Ðuntold€expense€for€all€concerned.à  à ¸Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€trial€court€concluded€that€ð ð[i]n€truth,€the€plaintiffs€are€complaining€about€the€adequacy€of€teachersððÐ ° Ðsalaries€statewide€when€the€effect€of€the€General€Assemblyððs€action€has€been€to€equalize€teachersðð€salaries€statewide€inÐ tÄ Ðaccordance€with€the€BEP€plan.ðð 4Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€figure€of€$28,094€was€determined€by€using€the€actual€average€instructional€compensation€package€for€eachÐ ° Ðschool€system€as€of€December€1,€1993.€€The€salary€figures€used€in€the€calculation€included€both€state€and€localÐ tÄ Ðcontributions.€€In€order€to€exclude€the€extremes€from€the€calculation,€the€top€and€bottom€five€percent€of€school€systemsÐ 8ˆ Ðwere€dropped€from€the€calculation.€ vÝ ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€BEP€provides€that€ð ð[e]very€local€government€shall€appropriate€funds€sufficient€to€fund€the€local€shareÐ ° Ðof€the€basic€education€program.ðð€€Ô‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„356.€€The€salary€equity€plan€similarly€provides€Ô#†ôàÕòòôàÕ'#Ôthat€ð ð[e]veryÐ tÄ Ðlocal€government€shall€appropriate€funds€sufficient€to€fund€the€local€share€of€the€allocation€for€teachersðð€salary€equityÐ 8ˆ Ðestablished€in€this€section.ðð€€Ô‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„366(a)(3).Ô#†ôàÕòòôàÕ‹#ÔÔ‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔÔ‡&Ï %òôàÕÔ€Ô#†&Ï % %&Ïñ#ÔÔ#†ôàÕò %&Ï#Ô aÝ ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú17Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€intervenors€cite€a€survey€of€teachers€suggesting€that€21%€of€teachers€moving€to€another€district€to€teachÐ ° Ðdid€so€primarily€because€of€salary€considerations.€€However,€the€same€study€reveals€that€61.7%€of€those€surveyed€citedÐ tÄ Ðsalary€as€the€reason€they€preferred€working€in€their€current€school€system€over€their€former€one,€and€53.3%€said€thatÐ 8ˆ Ðsalary€influenced€their€decision€to€migrate€from€one€system€to€another.€€€ ðÝ ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Under€the€BEP,€ð ð[a]ll€funds€generated€for€the€basic€education€program€shall€be€spent€on€basic€educationÐ ° Ðprogram€components.ðð€€Ô‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„351(c).€€Under€the€salary€equity€plan,€ð ð[a]ny€[local€school€district]€thatÐ tÄ Ðreceives€funds€for€teachersðð€salary€equity€.€.€.€shall€apply€such€funds€to€establish€a€schedule€that€raises€the€averageÐ 8ˆ Ðcompensation€packageðð€of€teachers.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„366(b).Ô#†ôàÕòòôàÕ#ÔÔ‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔ€Ô#†ôàÕòòôàÕ­#Ô —Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€In€fact,€a€school€district€is€prohibited€from€commencing€school€in€the€fall€ð ðuntil€its€share€of€such€allocationÐ ° Ðfor€teachersðð€salary€equity€.€.€.€has€been€included€in€the€budget€approved€by€the€local€legislative€body.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð tÄ Ððð€49„3„366(a)(3).€€In€addition,€school€districts€receiving€salary€equity€funds€cannot€use€them€for€any€purpose€other€thanÐ 8ˆ Ðraising€teachersðð€salaries.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„366(b).€€Further,€salary€equity€funds,€both€state€and€local,€must€beÐ üL Ðreduced€proportionally€in€all€school€districts€in€the€event€ð ðstate€funds€appropriated€for€teachersðð€salary€equity€areÐ À Ðinsufficient€to€meet€the€local€public€school€systemsðð€entitlementsðð€under€the€statute.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„366(c).€Ð „Ô ÐThe€legislature€has€appropriated€approximately€$12€million€dollars€annually€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„366€toÐ H ˜ Ðincrease€and€equalize€teacher€compensation. Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Funds€appropriated€under€the€salary€equity€plan€are€for€the€ð ðsupport€of€teachersðð€salary€equity,ðð€andÐ ° Ðð ðcompensation€improvementðð€under€the€plan€can€be€in€the€form€of€salaries,€employer„paid€health€insurance€premiums,Ð tÄ Ðor€both.€Ô‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔ€òòóóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„366(a)(3),(b).Ô#†ôàÕòòôàÕ™#Ô€€- ù- nÝ ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú16Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Without€making€teachersðð€salaries€a€component€of€the€BEP,€the€allocation€for€teachersðð€salaries€to€each€schoolÐ ° Ðdistrict€is€the€product€of€the€amount€of€the€school€districtððs€average€teacher€salary,€based€on€the€Stateððs€salary€schedule,Ð tÄ Ðplus€the€mandated€local€supplement,€multiplied€by€the€number€of€teaching€positions€in€the€district€generated€by€the€BEPÐ 8ˆ Ðteacher„student€ratio.€€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€894€S.W.2d€at€738. æÝ ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Ô‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔThe€suit€was€filed€against€various€State€officials,€including€the€Governor€and€other€executive€branch€officialsÔ#†ôàÕòòôàÕ#ÔÔ‡ôàÕòòôàÕÔ,Ð ° Ðleaders€of€the€General€Assembly,€and€members€of€the€State€Board€of€Education.Ô#†ôàÕòòôàÕ0#Ô€€The€intervenors€consisted€of€nine€schoolÐ tÄ Ðdistricts:€€Davidson€County,€Chattanooga„Hamilton€County,€Knox€County,€Jackson„Madison€County,€Memphis€City,Ð 8ˆ ÐClarksville„Montgomery€County,€Sevier€County,€Shelby€County,€and€Sullivan€County. «Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€ð ðThe€State€of€Tennessee€recognizes€the€inherent€value€of€education€and€encourages€its€support.€€The€GeneralÐ ° ÐAssembly€shall€provide€for€the€maintenance,€support€and€eligibility€standards€of€a€system€of€free€public€schools.ðð€€Tenn.Ð tÄ ÐConst.€art.€XI,€ðð€12. ‚Ý ƒRñ¶$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€As€we€explained€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€ð ð[t]he€formula€whereby€the€component€parts€of€the€[BEP]€areÐ ° Ðdetermined€is€reviewed€annually€by€a€BEP€review€board,€which€includes€the€Commissioner€of€Education,€theÐ tÄ ÐCommissioner€of€Finance€and€Administration,€representatives€of€various€local€school€systems,€representatives€ofÐ 8ˆ Ðprofessional€education€organizations,€and€other€members€designated€by€the€State€Board€of€Education.€€After€review€byÐ üL Ðthe€Board€of€Education,€the€BEP€formula€may€be€adjusted€to€reflect€changes€whereby€the€system€can€be€improved.€Ð À ÐHowever,€the€components€of€the€plan€.€.€.€cannot€be€changed€without€the€approval€of€the€Commissioner€of€Education€andÐ „Ô Ðthe€Commissioner€of€Finance€and€Administration,€and€the€revised€formula€must€be€approved€by€resolutions€of€the€SenateÐ H ˜ Ðand€House€of€Representatives€before€any€change€can€become€effective.ðð€€òòóó894€S.W.2d€at€736.(|G2ñ¶$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€P »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôàÕò»»Ô d(|3Çu$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€P »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Çu$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€P »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z›&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€P »»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼P »»»ÔÑ8€AXXdì»»d8ÑÓÓÓÓà@™ ™ ìàÔ‡îFlP ÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼P »îîFl0#ԈРÖ& Ðà@aa!ìàHeard€in€KnoxvilleˆÐ üL ÐÓ  ÓMay€1,€2002€SessionÐ ^ ÐÔ‡XAX»¼P ÔÌò òÔ#†¼P »XXAK#ÔTENNESSEE€SMALL€SCHOOL€SYSTEMS,€òòet€al.óó€v.€NED€RAYÐ  \ ÐÔ_ÔMcWHERTERÔ_Ô,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡XAX»¼P Ôó óÐ  p ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„3„201Ð  p Ðfrom€the€Chancery€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ  \  Ðà@@øøìàNo.€88„1812„II€€€€€€Carol€L.€McCoy,€ChancellorÐ øH  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<»` AßÐ ¼  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2001„01957„SC„R3„CV€„€Filed€October€8,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ · ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Ž` AßÐ ß Ðó óÌÔ#†¼P »XXA#ÔÓ ÓÔ€XAX»¼P ÔÓÓÓ  ÓThis€is€the€third€appeal€to€this€Court€of€the€plaintiffsðð€suit€challenging€the€constitutionality€of€theÐ ŠÚ Ðmanner€in€which€the€State€funds€public€education.€€In€the€first€appeal,€we€held€that€the€State€wasÐ vÆ Ðrequired€by€the€Tennessee€Constitution€to€maintain€and€support€a€system€of€public€schools€thatÐ b² Ðaffords€substantially€equal€educational€opportunities€to€all€students,€and€we€found€that€the€StateððsÐ Nž Ðschool€funding€scheme€unconstitutionally€denied€equal€educational€opportunities€to€all€students.€Ð :Š ÐòòTennessee€Small€School€Sys.€v.€McWherteróó,€851€S.W.2d€139€(Tenn.€1993)€(ð ðòòSmall€Schools€Ióóðð)òòóó.€€InÐ &v Ðthe€second€appeal,€we€conditionally€upheld€a€new€funding€plan€allocating€funds€to€school€systemsÐ b Ðaccording€to€a€formula€based€on€the€cost€of€forty„three€components€necessary€for€a€basic€education,òòóóÐ þN Ðknown€as€the€Basic€Education€Program€(ð ðBEPðð),€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€49„3„351€to€„360.€€òòTennesseeÐ ê: ÐSmall€School€Sys.€v.€McWherteróó,€894€S.W.2d€734€(Tenn.€1995)€(ð ðòòSmall€Schools€IIóóðð).€€We€found,Ð Ö& Ðhowever,€that€òòóóthe€omission€of€a€requirement€for€equalizing€teachersðð€salaries€was€a€significant€defectÐ Â Ðin€the€Basic€Education€Program€(ð ðBEPðð),€which€put€the€entire€plan€at€risk€both€functionally€andÐ ®þ Ðlegally,€andò ò€ó óòòóówe€concluded€that€ð ðthe€plan€must€include€equalization€of€teachersðð€salaries€accordingÐ š ê Ðto€the€BEP€formulaðð€in€order€for€the€plan€to€be€constitutional.€€òòId.óó€at€738.Ð Š!Ú  ÐÌIn€this€third€appeal,€the€question€is€whether€the€Stateððs€current€method€of€funding€salaries€forÐ b#²" Ðteachers€ð!ð€the€salary€equity€plan€found€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€49„3„366€ð!ð€equalizesÐ N$ž# Ðteachersðð€salaries€ð ðaccording€to€the€BEP€formulaðð€or€whether€it€fails€to€do€so€and€violates€equalÐ :%Š $ Ðprotection€by€denying€students€substantially€equal€educational€opportunities.€€The€trial€courtÐ &&v!% Ðdismissed€the€case€after€finding€that€the€State€had€met€its€constitutional€obligation€to€equalizeÐ 'b"& Ðteachersðð€salaries€under€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó.€€The€plaintiffs€then€filed€a€motion€asking€this€Court€toÐ þ'N#' Ðassume€jurisdiction€of€the€appeal,€òòseeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„3„201€(Supp.€2001),׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€asserting€that€theÐ ê(:$(ýn ÐÔ_ÔState€failed€to€comply€with€this€Courtððs€directive€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€to€equalize€teachersðð€salariesÐ ° Ðaccording€to€the€BEP€formula€for€funding€public€education.€€We€granted€the€motion.€€Ð œì ÐÌAfter€careful€consideration€of€the€record€and€applicable€authorities,€we€find€that€the€salary€equityÐ tÄ Ðplan€embodied€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€49„3„366€does€not€equalize€teachersðð€salariesÐ `° Ðaccording€to€the€BEP€formula€and€contains€no€mechanism€for€cost€determination€or€annual€costÐ L œ Ðreview€of€teachersðð€salaries,€unlike€the€BEP€conditionally€approved€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó.€€We€furtherÐ 8 ˆ Ðfind€that€no€rational€basis€exists€for€structuring€a€basic€education€program€consisting€entirely€of€cost„Ð $ t Ðdriven€components€while€omitting€the€cost€of€hiring€teachers,€the€most€important€component€of€anyÐ  ` Ðeducation€plan€and€a€major€part€of€every€education€budget.€€Therefore,€the€lack€of€teacher€salaryÐ ü L  Ðequalization€in€accordance€with€the€BEP€formula€continues€to€be€a€significant€constitutional€defectÐ è 8  Ðin€the€current€funding€scheme.€€Accordingly,€we€hold€that€the€salary€equity€plan€fails€to€comply€withÐ Ô$  Ðthe€Stateððs€constitutional€obligation€to€formulate€and€maintain€a€system€of€public€education€thatÐ À  Ðaffords€a€substantially€equal€educational€opportunity€to€all€students.€€The€trial€courtððs€judgmentÐ ¬ü  Ðdismissing€the€case€is€reversed€and€the€case€is€remanded.€€Ð ˜è  ÐÌò òà0  àà ° àAppeal€Pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„3„201;€Judgment€of€the€Trial€CourtÐpÀ(#(# Ðà@ªªìàReversed€and€Remanded.ó óˆÐ \¬ ÐòòÌE.€Riley€Andersonóó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòFrank€F.€Drowota,€III,€C.J.,óóÐ 4„ ÐòòAdolpho€A.€Birch,€Jr.,€Janice€M.€Holder,€óóand€òòWilliam€M.€Barker,€JJ.,óó€joined.Ð  p ÐÌLewis€R.€Donelson,€Christopher€G.€Boling,€Jonathan€J.€Cole,€Angie€C.€Davis€and€Marianne€BellÐ øH ÐMatthews,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€plaintiffs„appellants,€Tennessee€Small€School€Systems,€etÐ ä4 Ðal.Ð Ð  ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Michael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General;€Kate€Eyler,Ð ¨ø ÐDeputy€Attorney€General;€and€Kimberly€J.€Dean,€Deputy€Attorney€General,€Nashville,€Tennessee,Ð ”ä Ðfor€the€defendants„appellees,€Ned€Ray€McWherter,€et€al.Ð €Ð ÐÌKarl€F.€Dean€and€James€L.€Charles,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenors„appellees,Ð X ¨ ÐMetropolitan€Nashville„Davidson€County€Public€School€System.Ð D!” ÐÌMary€Neil€Southerland,€Chattanooga,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenors„appellees,€Chattanooga„Ð #l! ÐHamilton€County€Public€School€System.Ð $X" ÐÌJack€Mitchell,€Clarksville,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenors„appellees,€Clarksville„Montgomery€CountyÐ à%0!$ ÐPublic€School€System.Ð Ì&"% ÐÐ ¸'#& ÐJerry€D.€Kizer,€Jackson,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenors„appellees,€Jackson„Madison€County€PublicÐ ° ÐSchool€System.Ð œì ÐÌMichael€Moyers,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenors„appellees,€Knox€County€Public€SchoolÐ tÄ ÐSystem.Ð `° ÐÌErnest€G.€Kelly,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenors„appellees,€Memphis€City€Public€SchoolÐ 8 ˆ ÐSystem.Ð $ t ÐÌThomas€A.€Varlan,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenors„appellees,€Sevier€County€PublicÐ ü L  ÐSchool€System.Ð è 8  ÐÌThomas€R.€Russell,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenors„appellees,€Shelby€County€PublicÐ À  ÐSchool€System.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌE.€€Patrick€Hull,€Kingsport,€Tennessee,€for€the€intervenors„appellees,€Sullivan€County€Public€SchoolÐ „Ô  ÐSystem.Ð pÀ ÐÌÌÓ  Óà@@ëë'ìàò òOPINIONó óÐ 4„ ÐÌÓj Óò òòòÓ  ÓBACKGROUNDóóó óÐ  \ ÐÓÁ ÓÌà  àIn€1988,€a€group€of€€rural€school€districts,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€superintendents,€board€of€education€members,Ð ä4 Ðstudents,€and€parents€filed€suit€claiming€that€Tennesseeððs€education€funding€system€violated€articleÐ Ð  ÐXI,€section€12€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution׃4×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€because€the€funding€system€denied€public€schoolÐ ¼  Ðstudents€the€right€to€an€equal€education€due€to€a€disparity€in€resources€between€rural€and€urbanÐ ¨ø Ðcounties.€€To€place€the€issues€in€the€present€dispute€in€the€appropriate€context,€we€begin€by€reviewingÐ ”ä Ðthe€extensive€procedural€history.Ð €Ð ÐÌÌà@_ _ ìàò òòòSmall€Schools€Ióóó ó€€ð!ð€€ò òTennessee€Foundation€Program€ó óˆÐ D!” ÐÌà  àIn€their€initial€lawsuit€in€1988,€the€plaintiffs€sought€a€declaratory€judgment€that€the€StateððsÐ  #p! Ðeducational€funding€statutes€were€unconstitutional,€that€the€defendants€be€enjoined€from€actingÐ  $\" Ðpursuant€to€those€statutes,€and€that€the€State€be€required€to€formulate€and€establish€a€funding€systemÐ ø$H # Ðthat€met€constitutional€standards.€€The€State,€along€with€several€school€systems€located€in€urban€andÐ ä%4!$ Ðsuburban€counties€across€the€state€who€were€allowed€to€intervene,€opposed€the€plaintiffsðð€suit€on€theÐ ° Ðground€that€the€funding€scheme€enacted€by€the€legislature€was€not€reviewable€by€the€courts.׃0×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€sum,Ð œì Ðthe€defendants€argued€that€article€XI,€section€12,€of€the€state€constitution€provided€no€qualitativeÐ ˆØ Ðstandards€for€measuring€the€quality€of€education€or€the€sufficiency€of€funding€and€that€such€mattersÐ tÄ Ðwere€left€to€the€exclusive€province€of€the€legislative€and€executive€branches.€€òòSmall€Schools€Ióó,€851Ð `° ÐS.W.2d€at€141.€€After€a€six„week€trial,€the€trial€court€agreed€with€the€plaintiffs€and€declared€theÐ L œ ÐStateððs€funding€system€unconstitutional.€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àOn€appeal,€this€Court€agreed€with€the€trial€courtððs€findings€that€there€were€Ô‡XAXXXAÔimpermissibleÐ  ` Ðdisparities€in€the€educational€opportunities€available€to€public€school€studentsò òó ó,€as€evidencedò ò€ó óbyÐ ü L  Ðsignificant€differences€in€teacher€qualifications,€student€performance,€and€basic€educational€programsÐ ì <  Ðand€facilities.€€Ô#†XAXXXAe*#ÔWe€noted,€for€example,€that€many€schools€in€the€rural€districts€had€decaying€physicalÐ Ø(  Ðplants,€inadequate€heating,€showers€that€did€not€work,€buckling€floors,€leaking€roofs,€inadequateÐ Ä  Ðscience€laboratories,€and€outdated€textbooks€and€libraries.€€òòSmall€Schools€Ióó,€851€S.W.2d€at€145.€Ð °  ÐFurthermore,€the€evidence€showed€that€some€of€the€school€districts€were€unable€to€offer€advancedÐ œì  Ðplacement€courses,€more€than€one€foreign€language,€or€the€state„€mandated€art€and€music€classes,Ð ˆØ  Ðdrama€instruction,€and€athletic€programs.€€òòId.óó€at€145„46.Ô‡&Ï %XXAÔ€€Ô#†XAX %&Ï\.#ÔÐ tÄ ÐÌà  àWe€also€agreed€with€the€trial€court€that€the€gross€disparities€in€educational€opportunitiesÐ Lœ Ðavailable€to€public€school€students€were€caused€by€the€Stateððs€then„existing€funding€scheme,€theÐ 8ˆ ÐTennessee€Foundation€Program€(ð ðTFPðð),€which€included€only€a€ð ðtoken€amountðð€of€state€funds€forÐ $t Ðthe€equalization€of€school€systems€and,€significantly,€was€unrelated€to€the€costs€of€providingÐ ` Ðprograms€and€services€by€the€local€schools.€€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€894€S.W.2d€at€736.€€Indeed,€stateÐ üL Ðfunding€under€the€TFP€was€based€primarily€on€average€daily€attendance€of€students,€while€localÐ è8 Ðfunding€depended€heavily€on€local€sales€tax€collections€and€discretionary€funding€by€localÐ Ô$ Ðgovernments.€€òòSmall€Schools€Ióó,€851€S.W.2d€at€143.€€€We€therefore€concluded€that€the€state€fundingÐ À Ðscheme€violated€equal€protection€principles:Ð ¬ü ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€constitutional€mandate€that€the€General€Assembly€shall€provideÐ „Ô Ðfor€a€system€of€free€public€schools€guarantees€to€all€children€of€schoolÐ pÀ Ðage€in€the€state€the€opportunity€to€obtain€an€education.€€TheÐ \ ¬ Ðprovisions€of€the€constitution€guaranteeing€equal€protection€of€the€lawÐ H!˜ Ðto€all€citizens,€require€that€the€educational€opportunities€provided€byÐ 4"„  Ðthe€system€of€free€public€schools€be€substantially€equal.€€TheÐ  #p! Ðconstitution,€therefore,€imposes€upon€the€General€Assembly€theÐ  $\" Ðobligation€to€maintain€and€support€a€system€of€free€public€schoolsÐ ø$H # Ðthat€affords€substantially€equal€educational€opportunities€to€allÐ ä%4!$ Ðstudents.ÐÐ& "%` x` x ЇòòId.óó€at€140„41.€€Ð ° ÐÌà  àAlthough€we€held€that€the€TFP€was€unconstitutional,€we€elected€not€to€fashion€a€specificÐ ˆØ Ðremedy€for€the€deficiencies€of€the€plan,€but€rather,€gave€the€legislature€the€opportunity€to€establishÐ tÄ Ða€public€school€system€that€affords€substantially€equal€educational€opportunities€to€all€students.€Ð `° ÐòòSmall€Schools€Ióó,€851€S.W.2d€at€140„41.€€In€doing€so,€we€recognized€that€the€means€whereby€the€StateÐ L œ Ðcould€achieve€its€constitutional€obligation€is€a€legislative€prerogative€and€that€the€legislatureððs€powerÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€this€regard€is€extensive.€€òòId.óó€at€141,€156.€€We€observed€that€an€acceptable€funding€plan€couldÐ $ t Ðinclude€the€imposition€of€funding€and€management€responsibilities€on€local€governments,€but€thatÐ  ` Ðthe€Constitution€would€not€permit€ð ðthe€indifference€or€inability€of€those€[local€governments]€toÐ ü L  Ðdefeat€the€constitutional€mandate€of€substantial€equality€of€opportunity.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€141.Ð è 8  ÐÌÌà@h h ìàò òòòSmall€Schools€IIóóó ó€ð!ð€€ò òThe€Basic€Education€Planó óˆÐ ¬ü  ÐÌà  àIn€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€the€plaintiffs€contended€that€the€Stateððs€new€plan,€which€omittedÐ ˆØ  Ðteachersðð€salaries€as€a€component€of€the€Basic€Education€Plan€(ð ðBEPðð)€and€failed€to€equalizeÐ tÄ Ðsalaries,€amounted€to€an€unconstitutional€denial€of€a€substantially€equal€education€opportunity€to€allÐ `° Ðstudents.Ð Lœ ÐÌà  àThe€BEP,€which€was€enacted€by€the€legislature€while€òòSmall€Schools€Ióó€was€pending€in€thisÐ $t ÐCourt,€Ô‡XAXXXAÔprovided€for€the€allocation€of€funds€to€local€school€systems€ð ðon€a€fair€and€equitable€basis€byÐ ` Ðrecognizing€the€differences€in€the€ability€of€local€jurisdictions€to€raise€local€revenues.ðð€€Tenn.€CodeÐ üL ÐAnn.€ðð€49„3„356.€€The€BEP€required€both€state€and€local€funding,€but€with€the€proportionate€localÐ è8 Ðshare€determined€by€each€countyððs€relative€ability€to€pay,€or€its€ð ðfiscal€capacity.ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,Ð Ô$ Ð894€S.W.2d€at€737.€€Each€local€government€was€required€to€appropriate€the€funds€determined€to€beÐ À Ðits€share€under€the€plan,€òòseeóóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„356,€but€the€amount€of€separate€state€fundingÐ ¬ü Ðno€longer€depended€upon€the€amount€of€revenue€collected€or€appropriated€by€the€local€government.€Ð ˜è ÐòòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€894€S.W.2d€at€737.Ô#†XAXXXA =#ÔÐ „Ô ÐÌà  àThe€BEP€formula€was€based€on€the€cost€of€forty„three€components€that€the€legislatureÐ \ ¬ Ðdeemed€necessary€ð ðfor€[Tennessee]€schools€to€succeed,ðð€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„302(3)€(Supp.Ð H!˜ Ð2001).€€The€components€included€items€such€as€the€cost€of€vocational€education,€guidanceÐ 4"„  Ðcounseling,€textbooks,€physical€education,€computer€technology,€transportation,€library€services,Ð  #p! Ðspecial€education,€art,€music,€classroom€supplies,€alternative€schools,€travel,€and€capital€expendituresÐ  $\" Ðfor€facilities.€€The€components€also€included€the€costs€of€hiring€secretaries,€nurses,€librarians,€socialÐ ø$H # Ðworkers,€principals€and€their€assistants,€assessment€personnel,€coordinators,€supervisors,€custodians,Ð ä%4!$ Ðpsychologists,€and€superintendents€but,€significantly,€omitted€the€cost€of€hiring€teachers,€the€mostÐ Ð& "% Ðimportant€component€of€any€education€plan€and€a€major€part€of€every€education€budget.€€òòSmallÐ ° ÐSchools€IIóó,€894€S.W.2d€at€736,€738.€€In€addition,€the€BEP€formula€included€provisions€for€an€annualÐ œì Ðreview€of€the€actual€cost€of€each€component€and€for€reviewing€the€formula€each€year€to€make€anyÐ ˆØ Ðadjustments€for€improving€the€system.€€òòId.€óó€at€736.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àIn€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€the€plaintiffs€challenged€the€BEP€formula€based€on€the€fact€that€costsÐ L œ Ðassociated€with€increasing€or€equalizing€teachersðð€salaries€was€not€one€of€the€components€ð ðdeemedÐ 8 ˆ Ðnecessary€for€schools€to€succeed,ðð€resulting€in€a€disparity€in€teachersðð€salaries€across€the€state.€€TheÐ $ t ÐBEP€in€its€original€form€as€proposed€by€the€State€Board€of€Education€included€teachersðð€salaries€asÐ  ` Ðone€of€the€components€of€the€formula€necessary€for€schools€to€succeed,€but€the€plan€as€enacted€intoÐ ü L  Ðlaw€by€the€legislature€did€not.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€defendants€nonetheless€argued€that€teachersðð€salaries€did€notÐ è 8  Ðaffect€the€quality€of€instruction€or€educational€opportunity€and€that,€therefore,€the€BEP€formula€didÐ Ô$  Ðnot€need€to€provide€for€the€equalization€of€teachersðð€salaries€as€one€of€its€components.€€Ð À  ÐÌà  àOn€appeal,€this€Court€emphasized€that€ð ð[t]eachers,€obviously,€are€the€most€importantÐ ˜è  Ðcomponent€of€any€education€planðð€and€that€their€compensation€ð!ð€the€major€item€in€every€educationÐ „Ô  Ðbudget€ð!ð€is€a€significant€factor€in€determining€where€teachers€choose€to€work.€€òòId.óó€at€738.€€Moreover,Ð pÀ Ðwe€concluded€that€the€rationale€supporting€the€inclusion€of€the€other€components€of€the€BEP€appliedÐ \¬ Ðwith€equal,€if€not€greater,€force€to€the€inclusion€of€teachersðð€salaries.€€òòId.óó€€Accordingly,€we€held€thatÐ H˜ Ðthe€ð ðomission€of€a€requirement€for€equalizing€teachersðð€salaries€is€a€significant€defect€in€the€BEPððÐ 4„ Ðand€that€the€ð ðfailure€to€provide€for€the€equalization€of€teachersðð€salaries€according€to€the€BEPÐ  p Ðformula,€puts€the€entire€plan€at€risk€functionally€and,€therefore,€legally.ðð€€òòId.óó€€We€emphasized€thatÐ  \ Ðthe€ð ðplan€must€include€equalization€of€teachersðð€salaries€according€to€the€BEP€formulaðð€in€order€forÐ øH Ðthe€plan€to€be€constitutional.€€òòId.óóÐ ä4 ÐÌÌà@e e ìàò òòòSmall€Schools€IIIóóó ó€ð!ð€€ò òSalary€Equity€Planó óˆÐ ¨ø ÐÌà  àIn€1995,€following€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€the€legislature€enacted€the€salary€equity€plan€inÐ „Ô ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€49„3„366,€which€on€a€one„time€basis€attempted€to€equalize€teachersððÐ pÀ Ðsalaries€in€those€school€districts€where€the€average€salary€was€below€$28,094€as€of€1993,׃"(×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€but€did€notÐ \ ¬ Ðinclude€teachersðð€salaries€as€a€component€of€the€BEP.€€The€plan€provided€for€state€and€local€fundsÐ H!˜ Ðð ðin€support€of€teachersðð€salary€equityðð€to€increase€teacher€compensation€in€school€districts€averagingÐ 4"„  Ðless€than€$28,094€per€year€per€instructional€position.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„366(a)(3).€€AlthoughÐ ° Ðthe€plan€required€the€State€to€pay€the€same€percentage€of€salary€equity€funds€for€each€school€districtÐ œì Ðas€it€pays€toward€the€cost€of€classroom€components€of€the€BEP€for€each€district€and€also€requiredÐ ˆØ Ðlocal€governments€to€appropriate€funds€sufficient€to€pay€their€proportionate€share,׃&×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€it€did€not€includeÐ tÄ Ðprovisions€for€annual€review€or€cost€determination€of€teachersðð€salaries€under€the€BEP.Ð `° ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiffs€filed€this€action€arguing€that€the€salary€equity€plan€establishes€an€arbitrary€floorÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€teachersðð€salaries€unrelated€to€the€BEP€in€violation€of€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€and€that€the€plan€doesÐ $ t Ðnot€submit€teachersðð€salaries€to€the€annual€review€and€cost€determination€process€applicable€to€allÐ  ` Ðof€the€other€cost€components€under€the€BEP.€€Accordingly,€the€plaintiffs€sought€to€enforce€theÐ ü L  Ðdirective€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€that€teachersðð€salaries€be€included€as€a€component€of€the€BEP.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àAfter€a€two„day€hearing,€the€trial€court€found€that€the€State€had€met€its€constitutionalÐ À  Ðobligation€to€equalize€teachersðð€salaries€under€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€and€dismissed€the€action.€€In€sum,Ð ¬ü  Ðthe€trial€court€reasoned€that€even€though€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€mandated€that€salary€equalization€be€inÐ ˜è  Ðaccordance€with€the€BEP€formula,€it€did€not€demand€that€the€legislature€adhere€strictly€to€theÐ „Ô  Ðmechanisms€of€that€plan.׃!°×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àThereafter,€the€plaintiffs€filed€a€motion€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€16„3„201(d)Ð H˜ Ð(Supp.€2001)€asking€this€Court€to€assume€jurisdiction€of€the€appeal,€as€it€had€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€onÐ 4„ Ðthe€grounds€that€the€case€is€one€of€unusual€public€importance€in€which€a€special€need€for€anÐ  p Ðexpedited€decision€exists€and€which€involves€issues€of€constitutional€law.€€The€plaintiffs€argued€inÐ  \ Ðtheir€motion€that€the€State€had€not€complied€with€this€Courtððs€directive€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€thatÐ øH Ðteachersðð€salaries€be€included€in€the€BEP€formula.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àWe€granted€the€motion€and€now€hold€that€the€salary€equity€plan€in€Tennessee€CodeÐ ¼  ÐAnnotated€ðð€49„3„366€fails€to€comport€with€the€Stateððs€constitutional€obligation€to€formulate€andÐ ¨ø Ðmaintain€a€system€of€public€education€that€affords€substantially€equal€educational€opportunity€to€allÐ ”ä Ðstudents.€€We€come€to€this€conclusion€because€the€plan€does€not€include€teachersðð€salaries€as€aÐ €Ð Ðcomponent€of€the€BEP€necessary€to€provide€a€basic€education,€while€including€superintendents,Ð l¼ Ðâ âprincipals,€librarians,€and€other€personnel,€and€does€not€equalize€teachersðð€salaries€according€to€theÐ X ¨ ÐBEP€formula€inasmuch€as€it€contains€no€mechanism€for€cost€determination€or€annual€cost€review€ofÐ ° Ðteachersðð€salaries.Ð œì Ðâ âÌÌò òòòÓ  ÓANALYSISóóó óÐ `° ÐÌA.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÓ‡`ÓÌà  àThe€main€issue€throughout€these€appeals€since€1988€has€been€whether€the€legislature€hasÐ  ` Ðcomplied€with€its€constitutional€obligation€to€maintain€and€support€a€system€of€public€schools€thatÐ ü L  Ðaffords€substantially€equal€educational€opportunities€to€all€students€in€this€state.€€The€resolution€ofÐ è 8  Ðthe€present€appeal€in€large€part€begins€with€our€statement€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€that€the€ð ðexclusion€ofÐ Ô$  Ðteachersðð€salary€increases€from€the€equalization€formula€is€of€such€magnitude€that€it€wouldÐ À  Ðsubstantially€impair€the€objectives€of€the€plan;€consequently,€the€plan€must€include€equalization€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðteachersðð€salaries€according€to€the€BEP€formula.ðð€€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€894€S.W.2d€at€738.€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiffs€assert€that€the€salary€equity€plan€amounts€to€little€more€than€an€arbitrary€floorÐ pÀ Ðfor€teachersðð€salaries,€unrelated€to€the€BEP,€in€violation€of€our€ruling€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó.€€TheyÐ \¬ Ðargue€that€the€legislature€enacted€the€plan€as€a€ð ðtokenðð€supplement€to€the€BEP€and,€as€such,€failedÐ H˜ Ðto€comply€with€the€directive€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€that€teachersðð€salaries€be€made€a€component€of€theÐ 4„ ÐBEP€formula.€€The€plaintiffs€also€assert€that€the€plan€violates€equal€protection€because€TennesseeÐ  p ÐCode€Annotated€ðð€49„3„366€does€not€provide€for€cost€determination€or€annual€cost€review€ofÐ  \ Ðsalaries,€as€do€BEP€components,€and€that€the€same€large€disparities€in€teachersðð€salaries€that€existedÐ øH Ðwhen€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€was€decided€still€exist€today.€€Thus,€the€plaintiffs€argue€that€the€legislatureÐ ä4 Ðhas€not€corrected€the€disparities€in€teachersðð€salariesò ò,ó ó€and€they€seek€an€order€from€this€Court€directingÐ Ð  Ðthe€legislature€to€òòóómake€teachersðð€salaries€a€component€of€the€BEP,€subjecting€salaries€to€annual€costÐ À Ðdetermination€and€review€like€other€components€of€the€BEP.€€Ð ¬ü ÐÌà  àThe€defendants€concede€that€the€legislature€did€not€make€teachersðð€salaries€a€component€ofÐ „Ô Ðthe€BEP€by€enacting€the€salary€equity€plan.€€The€defendants€also€agree€that€there€is€no€provision€inÐ pÀ Ðthe€plan€to€increase€the€target€salary€of€$28,094€and€that€there€is€no€annual€review€or€costÐ \ ¬ Ðdetermination€of€teachersðð€salaries,€as€is€performed€with€all€of€the€other€components€under€the€BEP.€Ð H!˜ ÐThe€defendants€nonetheless€contend€that€the€State€has€complied€with€the€mandate€of€òòSmall€SchoolsÐ 4"„  ÐIIóó€to€achieve€substantially€equal€educational€opportunities€by€creating€a€salary€equity€plan€and€byÐ  #p! Ðusing€part€of€the€methodology€of€the€BEP€formula€in€setting€minimum€salaries€under€TennesseeÐ  $\" ÐCode€Annotated€ðð€49„3„306.Ð ø$H # ÐÌÌà@‘‘)ìàB.ˆÐ ¼' #& Ðâ âÐ ¨(ø#' Ðà  àTurning€to€the€merits€of€this€appeal,€we€recognize€that€the€purpose€of€the€salary€equity€planÐ ° Ðwas€to€increase€and€support€teacher€salary€equity,׃(×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€that€there€are€some€similarities€between€theÐ œì Ðâ âsalary€equity€plan€and€the€BEP€primarily€involving€the€€distribution€of€funds€and€regulation€of€localÐ ˆØ Ðschool€districts.€€For€instance,€the€salary€equity€plan€set€out€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€49„3„366Ð tÄ Ðrequires€the€State€to€pay€the€same€percentage€of€salary€equity€funds€for€each€school€district€as€it€paysÐ `° Ðtoward€the€cost€of€classroom€components€of€the€BEP€for€each€district,׃Ü×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð49„3„Ð L œ Ð366(a)(3),€and€it€requires€local€governments€to€appropriate€funds€sufficient€to€pay€their€proportionateÐ 8 ˆ Ðshares.׃#.×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€addition,€school€districts€receiving€salary€equity€funds€cannot€use€them€for€any€purposeÐ $ t Ðother€than€raising€teacher€salaries,€just€as€funds€disbursed€under€the€BEP€must€be€spent€on€the€basicÐ  ` Ðeducation€components€that€comprise€that€plan.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€49„3„366(b),€49„3„351(c).׃% ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Рü L  ÐFinally,€the€salary€equity€plan,€like€the€BEP,€attempts€to€ensure€that€the€amount€of€state€fundsÐ è 8  Ðreceived€by€a€local€school€system€will€not€depend€on€the€amount€the€local€government€collects€orÐ Ô$  Ðappropriates€for€its€schools.€€òòSeeóó€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€894€S.W.2d€at€òòóó737;€òòseeóó€òòalsoóó€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð À  Ððð€49„3„356.€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àThe€salary€equity€plan,€however,€is€different€from€the€BEP;€indeed,€it€is€the€differences€thatÐ „Ô  Ðare€critical€in€addressing€the€constitutional€issue€raised€in€this€case.€€As€noted€above,€for€example,Ð pÀ Ða€key€feature€of€the€BEP€is€thatÔ‡XAXXXAÔ€the€actual€cost€of€each€of€the€forty„three€components€is€determinedÐ \¬ Ðannually,€and€the€formula€itself€is€reviewed€each€year€by€state€officials,€including€the€legislature,€soÐ H˜ Ðthat€adjustments€can€be€made€for€improvements€in€the€system.׃5ò ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†XAXXXAv#Ô€€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€894€S.W.2d€atÐ 4„ Ð736.€€Thus,€unlike€the€prior€funding€scheme€found€to€be€constitutionally€deficient€in€òòSmall€SchoolsÐ  p ÐIóó€(the€TFP),€the€BEP€reflects€the€variations€in€the€costs€of€providing€educational€programs€andÐ ° Ðservices€throughout€the€State.€€òòId.óó€€In€contrast,€the€salary€equity€plan€contains€no€mechanism€for€costÐ œì Ðdetermination€or€annual€cost€review,€a€flaw€admitted€by€the€defendants.€€The€TFP€was€likewiseÐ ˆØ Ðunrelated€to€the€costs€of€providing€programs€and€services€by€the€local€schools,€and€the€plan€wasÐ tÄ Ðdeclared€unconstitutional.€€òòId.óó€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àWe€can€think€of€no€rational€basis,€and€the€defendants€have€not€suggested€one,€for€structuringÐ 8 ˆ Ða€basic€education€program€where€all€of€its€components,€including€salaries€for€custodians,€secretaries,Ð $ t Ðnurses,€librarians,€social€workers,€principals€and€their€assistants,€assessment€personnel,€coordinators,Ð  ` Ðsupervisors,€psychologists,€and€superintendents,€are€cost„driven,€except€for€the€largest€and€mostÐ ü L  Ðimportant€component€of€all,€the€cost€of€providing€teachers.€€It€seems€to€us,€as€we€said€in€òòSmallÐ è 8  ÐSchools€IIóó,€that€the€rationale€for€cost€determination€and€annual€review€of€the€BEP€componentsÐ Ô$  Ðapplies€with€equal€if€not€greater€force€to€teachersðð€salaries,€for€it€is€undeniable€that€teachers€are€theÐ À  Ðmost€important€component€of€any€effective€education€plan,€and€that€€their€salaries,€a€major€item€inÐ ¬ü  Ðevery€education€budget,€are€a€significant€factor€in€determining€where€teachers€choose€to€work.€€òòSmallÐ ˜è  ÐSchools€IIóó,€894€S.W.2d€at€738.€€We€recognized€this€fact€seven€years€ago€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€and€weÐ „Ô  Ðstrongly€reiterate€it€again€today.€€òòId.óóÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àLikewise,€we€recognized€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€that€teacher€salaries€are€an€indispensable€partÐ H˜ Ðof€any€constitutional€funding€plan,€and€that€no€part€of€that€plan€can€be€compromised€withoutÐ 4„ Ðdestroying€the€integrity€and€effectiveness€of€the€entire€plan.€òòId.óó€€Thus,€although€the€salary€equity€planÐ  p Ðhas€some€similarities€to€the€BEP€it€does€not€include€an€indispensable€and€fundamental€part€of€theÐ  \ ÐBEP€plan,€òòi.e.óó,€cost€determination€and€annual€cost€review€of€all€components,€including€teachersððÐ øH Ðsalaries.€€Therefore,€the€State€has€not€complied€with€the€unambiguous€finding€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóóÐ ä4 Ðthat€a€constitutional€plan€ð ðmust€include€equalization€of€teachersðð€salaries€according€to€the€BEPÐ Ð  Ðformula.ðð€€òòId.óó€€If€the€costs€associated€with€hiring€custodians,€secretaries,€nurses,€librarians,€socialÐ ¼  Ðworkers,€principals€and€their€assistants,€assessment€personnel,€coordinators,€supervisors,Ð ¨ø Ðpsychologists,€and€superintendents€are€components€necessary€ð ðfor€[Tennessee]€schools€to€succeed,ððÐ ”ä Ðsurely€it€is€undeniable€that€the€cost€of€teachers€is€a€component€necessary€for€Tennessee€schools€toÐ €Ð Ðsucceed.€€To€state€the€obvious,€teachers€are€an€absolutely€essential€school€resource.€€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àThe€lack€of€cost€determination€and€periodic€cost€review€of€teachersðð€salaries€is€a€problem€ofÐ D!” Ðconstitutional€dimensions€today€and€will€constitute€a€much€larger€problem€over€time,€given€that€theÐ 0"€  Ðsalary€equity€plan€is€based€solely€on€average€teacher€compensation€as€of€1993,€or€$28,094.€€Indeed,Ð #l! Ðthe€average€teacher€salary€in€Tennessee€as€of€1998„1999€was€$31,894€according€to€the€partiesðð€jointÐ $X" Ðstatement€of€undisputed€facts;€$35,273€according€to€a€report€prepared€by€the€BEP€ReviewÐ ô$D # ÐCommittee;€and€$36,896€according€to€a€report€produced€by€the€Department€of€Education.€€WhateverÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€average€salary€may€have€been€in€1998„1999,€it€is€clear€that€the€target€salary€in€the€equity€planÐ Ì&"% Ðbears€no€relationship€to€the€current,€actual€cost€of€providing€teachers€as€this€opinion€is€written€inÐ ¸'#& Ð2002,€leaving€a€gap€that€will€widen€with€each€passing€year.€€Moreover,€the€record€reveals€that€a€topÐ ¤(ô#' Ðpriority€of€the€BEP€Review€Committee€in€2000€was€to€obtain€funding€for€teacher€salaries€based€onÐ )à$( Ðòòactualóó€salary€data,€rather€than€the€stateððs€minimum€salary€schedule.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àIn€short,€we€hold€that€the€lack€of€teacher€salary€equalization€according€to€the€BEP€formulaÐ ° Ðcontinues€to€be€a€significant€constitutional€defect€in€the€Stateððs€funding€scheme.€€We€have€now€heldÐ œì Ðon€two€occasions€since€1988€that€the€legislatureððs€constitutional€mandate€is€to€maintain€and€supportÐ ˆØ Ða€system€of€public€education€that€affords€substantially€equal€educational€opportunities€to€all€students.Ð tÄ Ðò òó óAlthough€we€have€left€policy€considerations€such€as€the€funding€and€level€of€salaries€to€theÐ `° Ðlegislature,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú15Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€constitutional€mandate€has€not€changed.€€Moreover,€whatever€mechanism€is€chosenÐ L œ Ðby€the€legislature,€it€must€comport€with€the€principles€we€have€been€espousing€since€the€inceptionÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€the€òòSmall€Schoolsóó€saga.€€Until€that€mandate€is€met,€the€inherent€value€of€education€will€not€beÐ $ t Ðfully€realized€by€all€students€in€the€state,€regardless€of€where€they€live€and€attend€school,€and€theÐ  ` Ðstudents€of€Tennessee€will€continue€to€be€unconstitutionally€denied€substantially€equal€educationalÐ ü L  Ðopportunities.€Ð è 8  ÐÌÌà@ww)ìàC.€ˆÐ ¬ü  ÐÌà  àThe€State€maintains€that€aside€from€the€salary€equity€plan€under€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÐ „Ô  Ððð€49„3„366,€salaries€have€been€equalized€because€all€public€school€teachers€have€a€minimum€salaryÐ pÀ Ðbased€on€training€and€experience€factors.€€Specifically,€the€Commissioner€of€Education,€with€theÐ \¬ Ðapproval€of€the€State€Board€of€Education,€annually€formulates€a€mandated€salary€schedule€applicableÐ H˜ Ðto€all€licensed€teachers,€taking€into€account€training€and€experience.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„306(a)Ð 4„ Ð(Supp.€2001).€€Local€school€systems€can€supplement€teachersðð€salaries€with€non„BEP€funds€fromÐ  p Ðtheir€own€local€sources,€but€the€Stateððs€salary€schedule€represents€a€minimum€salary€statewide.€Ð  \ ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€49„3„306(b)€(Supp.€2001).€€Ð øH ÐÌà  àThe€Stateððs€contention€that€salaries€have€been€equalized€because€all€public€school€teachersÐ Ð  Ðhave€a€minimum€salary€based€on€training€and€experience€factors€is€unconvincing.€€Tennessee€CodeÐ ¼  ÐAnnotated€ðð€49„3„306€has€been€the€law€since€1977.€€Assuming€the€State€has€been€using€the€salaryÐ ¨ø Ðschedule€mandated€by€that€statute€all€along,€particularly€prior€to€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó,€the€Stateððs€relianceÐ ”ä Ðon€it€does€little€to€help€its€cause.€€In€fact,€we€alluded€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€49„3„306€inÐ €Ð ÐòòSmall€Schools€IIóó€when€we€described€how€teacher€salaries€were€calculated,€894€S.W.2d€at€738,׃/î×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú16Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€andÐ l¼ Ðwe€observed€in€òòSmall€Schools€Ióó€that€making€adjustments€based€on€training€and€experience€benefittedÐ X ¨ Ðwealthier€school€districts€because€more€funds€were€channeled€to€districts€where€better€trained€andÐ D!” Ðexperienced€teachers€worked,€851€S.W.2d€at€143.€€Most€importantly,€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ððÐ ° Ð49„3„306€does€nothing€to€address€the€problem€of€having€an€education€funding€system€consistingÐ œì Ðentirely€of€€cost„driven€components€except€for€the€most€important€component€of€providing€teachers.€Ð ˆØ ЀÌÌà@‹‹)ìàD.ˆÐ L œ ÐÌà  àFinally,€we€address€the€intervenorsðð€argument€that€the€plaintiffs€have€not€shown€any€injuryÐ $ t Ðresulting€from€the€current€funding€method.€€According€to€the€intervenorsðð€claim,€teacher€salaryÐ  ` Ðdisparities€have€decreased€since€1995€when€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó€was€decided.€€In€addition,€theÐ ü L  Ðintervenors€allege€that€student„teacher€ratios€in€the€plaintiffsðð€districts€are€now€lower€than€theÐ è 8  Ðstatewide€average,€and€that€teachers€in€the€plaintiffsðð€districts€have,€on€average,€only€about€one€yearÐ Ô$  Ðless€experience€than€teachers€elsewhere€in€the€State.€€They€also€claim€that€student€graduation€ratesÐ À  Ðand€test€scores€are€now€about€the€same,€and€in€some€instances€better,€than€statewide€averages,€andÐ ¬ü  Ðthat€drop„out€rates€for€students€in€the€plaintiffsðð€districts€are€less€than€the€statewide€average.€€TheÐ ˜è  Ðintervenors€therefore€argue€that€the€plaintiffs€are€no€longer€deprived€of€substantially€equalÐ „Ô  Ðeducational€opportunities.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àSeveral€problems€exist€with€the€intervenorsðð€fact„based€argument€that€the€plaintiffs€are€noÐ H˜ Ðlonger€being€deprived€of€substantially€equal€educational€opportunities.€€The€first€problem€is€that€theÐ 4„ Ðtrial€court€made€no€factual€findings€on€any€of€the€matters€that€form€the€basis€of€the€intervenorsððÐ  p Ðcontentions.€€The€second€and€more€compelling€problem€is€that€this€Court€already€has€decided€theÐ  \ Ðissue€of€whether€a€constitutional€deprivation€of€educational€opportunity€occurred.€€The€focus€at€thisÐ øH Ðpoint€is€the€remedy,€not€the€wrong.€€It€seems€to€us€that€the€intervenors€are€essentially€attempting€toÐ ä4 Ðretry€the€case€by€raising€issues€on€which€this€Court€has€already€ruled.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€third€problem€with€the€intervenorsðð€position€is€that€the€record€supports€the€plaintiffsððÐ ¨ø Ðargument€that€for€the€most€part,€the€same€disparities€in€teachersðð€salaries€that€existed€when€òòSmallÐ ”ä ÐSchools€IIóó€was€decided€still€exist€today.€€For€example,€in€1995,€the€City€of€Alcoa€paid€teachers€anÐ €Ð Ðaverage€of€$40,672,€while€Jackson€County€paid€teachers€an€average€of€$23,934,€a€difference€ofÐ l¼ Ð$16,738.€€In€1997,€Oak€Ridge€paid€its€teachers€an€average€of€$42,268,€while€in€Monroe€County€theÐ X ¨ Ðfigure€was€$28,025,€a€disparity€of€$14,243.€€In€1998„1999,€the€disparity€between€Oak€Ridge€andÐ D!” ÐMonroe€County€grew€to€$14,554.€€Thus,€wide€disparities€still€exist,€and€it€takes€little€imagination€toÐ 0"€  Ðsee€how€such€disparities€can€lead€to€experienced€and€more€educated€teachers€leaving€the€poorerÐ #l! Ðschool€districts€to€teach€in€wealthier€ones€where€they€receive€higher€salaries.׃$×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú17Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€the€end,€the€ruralÐ $X" Ðdistricts€continue€to€suffer€the€same€type€of€constitutional€inequities€that€were€present€fourteen€yearsÐ ô$D # Ðago€when€this€litigation€began.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÐ Ì&"% Ðà  àIn€reaching€the€conclusion€that€the€salary€equity€plan€is€constitutionally€deficient,€we€areÐ ° Ðmindful€that€teachersðð€salaries€will€not€be€identical€in€every€school€district.€€We€also€stress€that€ourÐ œì Ðopinion€does€not€hinge€upon€the€adequacy€of€the€average€salary€relied€upon€by€the€legislature,€òòi.e.óó,Ð ˆØ Ðð ð$28,094,ðð€which€the€plaintiffs€characterize€variously€as€an€ð ðinadequate€floor,ðð€ð ðartificial,ððÐ tÄ Ðð ðerroneous,ðð€and€ð ðextremely€outdated.ðð€€It€is€not€the€business€of€the€courts€to€decide€how€salariesÐ `° Ðare€funded€or€at€what€level€teachers€should€be€compensated,€for€it€is€the€legislature€who€ð ðspeaks€forÐ L œ Ðthe€people€on€matters€of€public€policyðð€such€as€these.€€òòSeeóó€òòVan€Tran€v.€Stateóó,€66€S.W.3d€790,€804Ð 8 ˆ Ð(Tenn.€2001).€€In€addition,€nothing€in€the€law€prevents€a€local€school€system€from€supplementingÐ $ t Ðteachersðð€salaries€from€its€own€local€non„BEP€funds€when€such€funds€are€in€addition€to€its€local€BEPÐ  ` Ðcontribution.€€As€such,€some€disparities€in€teachersðð€salaries€from€school€district€to€school€districtÐ ü L  Ðwill€exist.€€In€short,€determining€how€to€fund€teachersðð€salaries€and€the€appropriate€level€of€thoseÐ è 8  Ðsalaries€are€choices€for€the€legislature€to€make,€assuming€of€course€that€the€legislature€discharges€itsÐ Ô$  Ðpowers€in€a€manner€that€comports€with€the€Constitution.Ð À  ÐÌà  àAs€we€recognized€in€òòSmall€Schools€Ióó,€local€spending€on€education€will€also€vary€due€toÐ ˜è  Ðdifferences€in€ð ðgeographical€features,€organizational€structures,€management€principles€andÐ „Ô  Ðutilization€of€facilities,ðð€as€well€as€other€ð ðfactors€that€bear€upon€the€quality€and€availability€ofÐ pÀ Ðeducational€opportunity€[which]€may€not€be€subject€to€precise€quantification€in€dollars.ðð€òòóó€851€S.W.2dÐ \¬ Ðat€156.€€The€critical€point,€however,€is€that€the€educational€funding€structure€be€geared€towardÐ H˜ Ðachieving€equality€in€educational€opportunity€for€students,€not€necessarily€ð ðsamenessðð€in€teacherÐ 4„ Ðcompensation.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€€The€objective€of€teacher€salary€equalization€is€to€provide€substantially€equalÐ  p Ðopportunities€for€students,€not€teachers.€€While€this€case€focuses€largely€on€the€methodology€usedÐ  \ Ðto€fund€teachersðð€salaries,€we€realize€that€many€elements,€of€which€funding€is€but€one,€must€comeÐ øH Ðtogether€in€order€for€Tennessee€schools€to€succeed€and€for€children€in€this€State€to€receive€ò òó óaÐ ä4 Ðsubstantially€equal€educational€opportunity.€€òòÐ Ð  ÐÌÌÓ  Óò òCONCLUSIONóóó óÐ ”ä ÐÓ™±ÓÌà  àAfter€reviewing€the€record€and€applicable€authority,€we€find€that€the€salary€equity€plan€underÐ l¼ ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€49„3„366€does€not€include€equalization€of€teachersðð€salaries€accordingÐ X ¨ Ðto€the€BEP€formula€because€it€contains€no€mechanism€for€cost€determination€or€annual€cost€reviewÐ D!” Ðof€teachersðð€salaries,€unlike€the€BEP€approved€in€òòSmall€Schools€IIóó.€€This€significant€defectÐ 0"€  Ðsubstantially€undermines€the€effectiveness€and€legality€of€the€plan€and€continues€to€put€the€entireÐ #l! Ðplan€functionally€and€legally€at€risk.€€In€our€view,€no€rational€basis€exists€for€structuring€a€basicÐ $X" Ðeducation€funding€system€consisting€entirely€of€cost„driven€components€except€for€teacher€salaries.€Ð ô$D # ÐThus,€the€lack€of€teacher€salary€equalization€according€to€the€BEP€formula€continues€to€be€aÐ à%0!$ Ðsignificant€constitutional€defect€in€the€current€funding€scheme.€€Accordingly,€we€hold€that€the€salaryÐ Ì&"% Ðequity€plan€fails€to€satisfy€the€Stateððs€constitutional€obligation€to€formulate€and€maintain€a€systemÐ ¸'#& Ðof€public€education€that€affords€substantially€equal€educational€opportunity€to€all€students.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐTherefore,€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€dismissing€the€case€is€reversedò ò,ó ó€and€the€case€is€remanded€forÐ )à$( Ðsuch€further€proceedings€as€may€be€appropriate.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€defendants€andÐ €*Ð%) Ðintervenors€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.€€Ð l+¼&* ЇÌÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#à______________________________€ÐˆØ(#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àòòE.€RILEY€ANDERSON,€JUSTICEÐ tÄ Ðóó