Re "It took decades, but education is funded" (Monitor Opinion page, July 23): Earth to Judith Reever: In your column saying that education is finally funded, you are correct. Education has always been funded but by real estate taxes. And guess what? It still is.

You were correct when you said that "it seemed the state was trying to find a way around the actual funding of adequacy." The state has been trying to weasel its way out of this for years, and it has finally succeeded. I believe the real issue in the lawsuit was to get the cost of education off the backs of property owners. What was the solution provided by the state? Another property tax.

If anyone actually believes that the state's definition of "adequate" is really adequate, I would like to hear from you. It depends what the definition of is, is. If the schools were closed after spending what they received from the state, it would be a short school year. If the state is paying for education, when should I expect to receive my refund from the school tax the city is charging me?

WALT PURTELL

Concord