A
s I reflect back on the 85th
Legislative Session and the
first Special Session, I think
how vital public schools have
been to the success of our
great State of Texas and must remain
the focus for our state to continue to
thrive. Our schools are loaded with
much more rigor and accountability
than ever before and our students
have many more academic
opportunities than we did.
To remain competitive on the
National stage, Texas must
adequately fund public schools. We
all see the data that Texas is one of
the lowest ranked states in America
on spending per pupil. We also see
that Texas is over-reliant on property
taxes as the state’s share of funding
public education has dropped to an
all-time low of less than 40%.
My challenge to all TASBO
members is to show off all the
amazing programs and students
in your district.
Unfortunately, the State Legislative
process has become a game of the
public education supporters playing
defense against the anti-public
education leaders, by trying to block
the negative legislation that damages
our school districts. Vouchers,
bathroom bills, and reduced state
funding have become the focus of
the education agendas of many of
our anti-public education leaders.
Bills that are beneficial to millions
of our public education students,
are too often used as a tool to tack
on agendas that are harmful to our
public schools.
During this Legislative session, we
saw the majority of bills die that
would have helped school districts
advance on the national level. A
school finance bill was not passed
that would have added more
funding. Additional State Aid for Tax
Reduction “ASATR” was not extended
and many of our rural schools will
face significant financial challenges
and possible closure. Legislation of a
much-deserved teacher pay increase
could require the districts to find
funds within their current resources
and without the appropriation of
additional state resources – the
ultimate of any unfunded mandate
ever placed on local schools.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT’S
CHALLENGE:
PROMOTE
YOUR
SCHOOLS
RANDY MCDOWELL, RTSBA
TASBO BOARD PRESIDENT
In order for Texas to keep our public
schools instrumental in guiding our
kids to the highest competitive level
nationally, we all must work hard to
promote our tremendous successes.
My challenge to all TASBO members
is to show off all the amazing
programs and students in your
district. Get in front of civic groups,
community members, PTA’s and brag
about all your successes. Also, if we
are going to make a difference, then
we must better inform our Legislators
of our excellence. Invite Legislators
to school events, awards ceremonies,
extra-curricular events, scholarship
banquets and any other events that
display your academic successes.
Together we can make a difference
for our students and our future!
With more than 5.3 million students,
there are plenty of inspirational stories.
It’s up to community leaders and hard-
working TASBO members to help tell the
story of Texas public schools.
TASBO.ORG
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