Local Leaders Rally for School Funding, Say Current System is at ‘Breaking Point'

Community leaders in North Texas say the state's system for funding schools is "at a breaking point."

With the new legislative session fast approaching, they rallied Tuesday, urging state lawmakers to make changes.

The event was organized by the Plano Chamber of Commerce.

Schools in Texas receive their funding from two primary sources -- local property taxes and state general fund dollars.

A decade ago, the state contributed nearly half of the costs of education in Texas. But since then, that number has declined.

In September, the Texas Education Agency -- which oversees education in the state -- released a preliminary budget plan that projects a $3.5 billion decrease in the state's contribution over the next two years.

The argument has long been that local property tax revenues are surging across Texas -- therefore, the state should spend general fund dollars on other needs.

Plano ISD School Board President Missy Bender, who spoke during Tuesday's rally, argued that that system is not sustainable.

She noted that economically well-off school districts, like Plano ISD, also make what are known as "recapture payments" into the state's education fund, which then help backfill any shortfalls poorer school districts experience.

She said because the state's share of education funding continues to decline, Plano ISD has seen their recapture payments grow $50 million each year for the last three years.

"The tax collections this current school year were not even enough to cover our recapture obligation," said Bender. "We used our savings to cover the difference."

Todd Williams, who serves on the Texas Commission on Public Schools Finance, noted that Texas ranks 43rd nationally in the amount of money it spends per student -- and expressed concerns about what that means for achievement gaps, as well as ensuring the state has an educated workforce.

"We have to invest in our kids," said Williams. "I would also say that I don't believe any school district should go backward in funding -- at all. The state needs to put in what the state needs to put in because I don't know of any district that's running around with a lot of flush cash."

State Representative Jeff Leach, who represents a portion of Collin County, told the audience he has assurances from the governor, lieutenant governor, and House Speaker that the 2019 legislative session will be the "Education Session."

"Education is the top issue headed into this session,' said Leach. "In 2019, we're going to focus on books, not bathrooms."