 The Legislature has worked tirelessly to address public school reform and property tax relief. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach a consensus on these issues. With the recent Texas Supreme Court ruling, school reform issues are even more important as they are the backbone of improving our schools. The Supreme Court even noted that our system needs structural changes, not just more money. Currently, about 60 percent of each tax dollar is spent in the classroom – it should be closer to 65 percent. School administrative costs and school budgets have increased four times faster than student enrollment since 1997. What do we get in return for this cost? Taxpayers spend three times as much on education as they did 30 years ago, but school performance remains average in many important areas. College readiness is lacking as more than 40 percent of graduating students must take remedial math and English classes when entering universities. Record numbers of parents are opting to home-school their children or send them to private or charter schools rather than public schools. Our public school system should not be another burden on parents' minds. The schools should prepare our students for a bright future and deliver a world-class education. More fiscal accountability and more transparency of district budgets are also needed. Taxpayers are entitled to know where their money goes. Countless reports show wasteful spending and financial abuses in Texas school districts. Sometimes even the school boards don't know where the money is going. Superintendents' salaries have increased more than 35 percent in the last eight years and school operating expenses have increased more than 57 percent, while student enrollment has increased only 14.5 percent. In the same period, school districts' non-teaching staff more than doubled. More money should be spent in the classroom. Top heavy administration expenses divert money away from students and leave our teachers without the resources they need. Legislation passed in the House contained provisions that would require 65 percent of the M&O budget to be directed to the classroom, and I support Governor Perry’s initiative to make this a reality. We are not going to pour more money into this broken system until we implement major reforms. The legislation we pass needs to balance and bring change not only for today, but also into the future. Other reforms could include: - A fair pay raise for Texas teachers and the chance to earn even more for classroom achievement, especially in schools with economically disadvantaged populations and large numbers of English as a Second Language (ESL) students. School districts should design these incentive plans in consultation with teachers, including local indicators of student achievement, as well as improvement on state tests.
- Changing the school board elections to November at the regular polling places. November elections will bring more participation, therefore offering a voice to that many more voters. Why wouldn’t school districts want more input?
- Establishing a uniform school start date in Texas. The overall benefits to families and the economic benefits to the state are worth its consideration.
- Holding schools accountable for college readiness. End-of-course exams to help high school teachers parents and students assess progress towards college readiness. If we are educating our students to be the future leaders of Texas, they should be well-prepared for college.
- Voters need to have the opportunity to approve all tax increases for local enrichment. This will put power back in the hands of voters.
With the recent Supreme Court decision we now have guidance to develop a long-term solution. I am committed to developing a system that gives homeowners property tax relief while shifting the burden of paying for public education back to the State. I am looking forward to seeing the recommendations of the Texas Tax Reform Commission, recently appointed by Governor Perry and led by former Comptroller, John Sharp. Their ideas will help shape the legislation that is drafted. From there it will be up to the members of the Legislature to decide the best course of action. Education is the most important issue that the legislature deals with, and it may be the most challenging. Whether we make hard or easy decisions, we were sent to the state capitol to be representatives for the people back home and that’s exactly what we are going to do.
| A Quick Look at Texas Education System |
- District operating expenditures increased by 57.84%, from $17,215,596,745 to $27,173,368,809, including a 61.31% increase in expenditures for general administration, from $708,615,758 to $1,143,047,700.
- Local tax receipts increased by 78.11%, from $9,673,814,847 to $17,229,655,604.
- The number of elementary teachers increased by 16.63%, from 104,400 to 117,830, while the number of “other support staff,” not including teachers, counselors, nurses, therapists, diagnosticians, librarians, or administrators, increased by 104.4%, from 9,237 to 18,882.
- The average superintendent salary increased by 35.71%, from $69,578 to $94,427; the average teacher salary increased by 26.47%, from $32,425 to $41,009.
- The percent of school district operating funds spent on instruction declined, from approximately 60.73% to 59.32%. In 2004-05, school districts’ budgets for instruction (about $16.1B) accounted for approximately 49.1% of all state, federal, and local revenues for public education (about $32.8B).
- The total number of students reported in membership in Texas school districts increased by 14.49%, from 3,828,975 to 4,383,871.
 On Tuesday, November 22, 2005, the Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling and opinion on the McNeeley v. West Orange Cove Consolidated Independent School District. The court decided the current public school finance system violated the Texas Constitution because it constitutes a state property tax prohibited by Article VIII of the constitution. The state legislature has until June 1, 2006 to draft and implement a new system. The court ruled that the current funding system does afford districts the ability to grant all students access to education and the educational opportunity to accomplish a general diffusion of knowledge as set forth by law. But the court indicated that we have reached a point in the education system that continued improvement cannot be achieved without significant reforms. The court left it up to the legislature to decide whether that is by "increased funding, improved efficiencies or better methods of education." Based on the court ruling, the Texas Legislature has much work to do.
 - We need to devise a school funding system that provides sufficient funding to schools while at the same time creating a system of taxation that is fair to taxpayers providing an environment conducive to economic and capitol growth.
- We need to address these "structural changes" suggested by the court. The legislature can and will find ways to improve efficiency and adequacy of public education that ensure a better return on our investment.
- Teachers need to be compensated for their skills and abilities. Deserving teachers need increased compensation and performance based incentives for continuing to deliver results. We also need to offer incentives to those teachers who offer special skill sets in high demand, especially in the critical fields of math and science.
- We need to find a system that will work and adapt with the changing needs of our Texas public education system.
|
|
|
|
