Over the past 10 years, Texas has seen minimal changes in public school funding, with key legislative actions falling short of keeping pace with rising costs, increased mandates, and inflation.

Here is a breakdown of the past decade:

• 2013-2017
  • Minimal Increases: The Legislature made modest adjustments to school funding but no major reforms, leaving many districts struggling financially.
• 2019 – House Bill 3 (HB 3)
  • Major Temporary Reform: HB 3 provided increased per-student funding, teacher pay raises, and investments in early education, offering temporary relief.
  • Short-Lived Gains: However, these increases were not sustained in the years that followed, and inflation quickly outpaced the funding.
• 2021 Legislative Session
  • COVID-19 Response: Federal relief helped schools manage pandemic costs, but no long-term funding increases were made.
  • No Major Increases: Despite growing needs, no significant new funding reforms passed.
• 2023 Legislative Session
  • There were no major per-student funding increases or teacher raises.
• Current Status:
  • Despite the State of Texas having a significant budget surplus, public schools are struggling with budget deficits due to lack of increased funding, which has not seen a rise since 2019.

Key Challenge: Texas public schools are funded based on average daily attendance rather than total enrollment, which restricts resources and hinders effective long-term planning. Additionally, outdated funding formulas for special education and school safety programs further exacerbate these challenges. Despite serving diverse student populations including special needs students and non-English speakers, districts like BISD face significant budget constraints as funding has not kept pace with inflation, growing student needs, or new state mandates.

The Texas Legislature sets the funding levels for public schools, directly affecting teacher pay, classroom resources, and overall district budgets. Brazosport ISD supports an increase to the basic allotment and automatic annual adjustments to address inflation, as well as a funding system based on student enrollment rather than attendance to ensure adequate resources.

The 89th Texas Legislative Session is set to convene from January 14, 2025 to June 2, 2025. During this crucial period, lawmakers will address key funding issues that will significantly impact public schools across the state. It is essential for community members to stay informed and engaged as these decisions are made.

Private schools do not provide the same level of academic and financial transparency as public schools and are not held accountable to the state for student outcomes, unlike public schools that must serve all students, including those with special needs and English language learners. Funding private-school vouchers with taxpayer money drains crucial resources from local public school districts, which are dedicated to meeting each child’s individual academic needs. This diversion of funds exacerbates existing budget constraints and limits the ability of public schools to deliver quality education. Brazosport ISD firmly opposes diverting public funds through vouchers or savings accounts to private or charter schools that do not adhere to the same accountability standards as public schools.

Public schools must serve all students, regardless of background, disability, or needs. They are also held to strict state accountability standards, such as the STAAR test and the A-F rating system, which charter and private schools are not required to follow. Additionally, Brazosport ISD opposes diverting public funds through vouchers or savings accounts to private or charter schools that are not held to the same accountability standards.

Advocacy ensures that public schools receive the funding and support needed to provide quality education for all students. Brazosport ISD advocates for increased funding, reforming accountability systems, and ensuring that taxpayer money stays within public schools, rather than being diverted to private institutions without the same transparency and oversight.

You can advocate for increasing per-student funding, revising the special education funding formula, supporting school safety initiatives with flexible funding, and opposing taxpayer subsidies for private and charter schools. Additionally, advocating for the repeal of the A-F accountability system and pushing for more fair and locally-based assessment measures is critical.

Contact your local representatives, participate in public meetings, and vote in elections to support policies that prioritize funding for public schools, ensuring they have the resources to serve every child.

Visit "Who Represents Us" page for a list of local representatives and tips on how to effectively advocate for increased school funding and support for public education.

Follow us on social media and visit our website for updates on legislative developments and opportunities to engage in advocacy efforts.

Legislative decisions on school funding directly impact our district's budget, staffing levels, and the range of programs we can offer. This influences our ability to support all students, including special needs and English language learners.

The Texas legislative session runs from January to May 2025, with potential special sessions afterward. These months are critical for decisions on public school funding.

Texas ranks in the bottom 10 states nationally for per-pupil spending, with the state spending approximately $4,000 less per student than the national average. This lack of funding contributes to resource shortages and affects the quality of education. Additionally, Texas faces a historic teacher shortage, with an attrition rate 25% higher than the national average, according to an August 2023 Texas House report. These challenges make it critical to advocate for increased funding and support for educators to ensure that schools can recruit and retain high-quality teachers and provide all students with the education they deserve.