Texas Public Education Faces Ongoing Challenges as 89th Legislative Session Approaches

Byadmin

Austin, TX — As Texas school districts prepare for the upcoming 89th Legislative Session, many are reflecting on the decisions made nearly two years ago during the 88th session, which left key education funding issues unresolved. With no substantial increase in per-student funding since 2019 and continued debates over voucher programs, educators and public school advocates are hopeful that the 89th session will bring much-needed reforms and financial support.

Recap of the 88th Legislative Session: Missed Opportunities and Key Bills Passed

The 88th Texas Legislature convened with high expectations due to the state’s $33 billion budget surplus. Public education stakeholders had anticipated significant increases in the basic allotment, which serves as the foundation for per-student funding. However, despite growing inflation and rising costs, the session ended without an increase in the basic allotment, leaving districts struggling to balance their budgets. Inflation has risen over 20% since 2019, while the basic allotment has remained stagnant, severely impacting districts’ purchasing power.

Key Legislation Passed

While no major funding increases materialized, several important bills affecting public education were passed:

  • HB 3 (School Safety): This bill mandates that each school campus have at least one armed security officer. It also provided a small per-student safety allotment and additional campus-level funding for safety measures.
  • SB 10 (Retired Educators): Retired teachers received a one-time cost-of-living adjustment and a 13th check, offering some financial relief.
  • HB 1707 (Charter Schools): This bill requires municipalities to treat charter schools the same as independent school districts in terms of zoning and permitting regulations. Additionally, charter schools must now notify local school districts and legislators when opening new campuses.

Legislation That Did Not Pass

One of the most significant efforts to address public school funding was HB 100, which proposed a modest increase in the basic allotment and shifted certain areas of school funding to an enrollment-based model. However, the bill failed in the final days of the session after the Senate added a controversial voucher provision. This provision would have allowed public funds to be used for private schooling through education savings accounts, a move that was opposed by many in the House. As a result, HB 100 did not pass, and public schools saw no meaningful funding increases.

Looking Ahead to the 89th Legislative Session: Education Funding, Vouchers, and Teacher Pay

As the 89th session approaches, which begins in January 2025, public education funding and policy will once again be at the forefront of legislative debates. Many of the issues left unresolved in the 88th session are expected to resurface, along with new challenges facing Texas schools.

School Funding Reform

With no adjustment to the basic allotment in the past two years, school districts continue to face budget deficits. Inflation has exceeded 20% since 2019, significantly diminishing the purchasing power of schools. Districts are now calling for an increase in the basic allotment to address these financial pressures. According to the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO), 80% of school districts report struggling with deficit budgets or insufficient resources. The 89th session will likely see proposals to tie school funding to inflation and make other adjustments to meet operational costs. Additionally, districts are increasingly turning to bonds and voter-approved tax rate elections (VATRE) to mitigate financial shortfalls.

Voucher Programs

Voucher programs, which remain a contentious issue, are expected to take center stage once again. Although the Texas Senate attempted to pass a voucher provision in the 88th session, it ultimately failed. Governor Greg Abbott has indicated that school vouchers will remain a legislative priority in the 89th session, sparking debates about the potential impact of using public funds to support private education.

Teacher Pay and Recruitment

Texas continues to face a teacher shortage, compounded by stagnant wages and rising living costs. The Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Vacancy Task Force has recommended increasing teacher salaries to attract and retain qualified educators. As school districts struggle to recruit and maintain staff, it is anticipated that teacher pay will be a key issue in the upcoming session. Proposals to raise teacher compensation and improve working conditions may emerge as legislative solutions to this crisis.

Property Taxes and School Finance

The issue of property tax relief continues to be closely linked with school finance. The 88th session saw a focus on property tax cuts, which reduce the amount of local revenue generated for public schools and shift the funding burden to the state. While property tax relief provides significant savings for local taxpayers, schools are left relying more on state funding to cover shortfalls. Without additional state revenue, schools may face even greater financial difficulties in the years to come.

Impact of Budget Deficits on Texas School Districts

The failure to increase the basic allotment in the 88th session has left many school districts filing deficit budgets for multiple years. TASBO’s most recent survey indicates that over half of the districts surveyed expect to run deficit budgets for the 2024-25 school year. Districts are increasingly turning to fund balances or making difficult cuts to programs, staff, and services. Several districts, including Richardson and Fort Worth ISDs, have made the difficult decision to close schools in response to budget constraints. Meanwhile, many districts are passing multi-million dollar deficit budgets to maintain operations amid funding shortfalls.

The Road Ahead for Texas Public Education

With the 89th Texas Legislative Session only a few months away, public education advocates and school district leaders are preparing for another round of debates over funding and policy. As the state grapples with how to fund its 5.5 million public school students, the decisions made in the upcoming session will have long-lasting impacts on Texas’s future workforce and economy. Issues such as school funding reform, voucher programs, and teacher compensation are expected to remain at the forefront of legislative priorities.

Education stakeholders across the state are hopeful that the 89th session will bring solutions to the funding challenges that have persisted since the 88th session. With significant financial and policy decisions looming, the outcome of the next legislative session will be critical for the future of Texas public education.