Reported By Troy Kinsey 

TALLAHASSEE -- Of all the things state government pays for, there's one that's more important than everything else --  education.

The Florida Constitution requires lawmakers to make it their top priority, but critics said that's not happening. The question is headed to court.

As if two young kids don't keep Courtney McHugh busy enough, she's got something more to worry about -- their education.

"I think schools don't get enough funding," McHugh said. "I think the teachers don't get paid enough, as well, you know, because they help our children grow. They help them learn different things, and if they don't get the money, then what's the incentive for them to be there and help our kids?"

McHugh's not alone.

On Wednesday, a coalition of parents, teachers and students filed this lawsuit against the state.

The suit said the government's in the wrong for cutting the state's share of education funding by 18 percent over the past decade.

The drop so large, it may violate the Constitution.

There's no question Florida's schools have less money these days.

In the sprint to the top, cash may not matter nearly as much as good old fashioned hard work and high standards.

The lawsuit's critics said students are getting better at things like the FCAT.

Rocky Hanna, a high school principal, would support the lawsuit.

"When school grades came out, the bar was real high," Hanna explained. "Most schools in our district and across the state were C's.  What happened?  Did things change across the schools?  Same teachers, same strategies.  They just started lowering the bar and changing the rules."

In Hanna's opinion, they did all that so they could make cuts to education funding.

McHugh agrees it's gone too far.

"Money in general, I know it's sad to say, but it's tough right now and it does help the world go 'round," McHugh said.

Ultimately, depending on this lawsuit, the state could be forced to spend more of it in the classroom.

The lawsuit also takes issue with high-stakes testing that keeps many students from graduating.

If a judge agrees, the legislature would have to come up with a plan, and possibly billions of dollars, to reform Florida's schools. 

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