The Texas Education Agency is offering state funding to as many as 157 school districts and charter schools that saw lower attendance or closed facilities due to the storm, which could ultimately cost the state an estimated $400 million.
school finance
Posted in
Public Education
In historic win, charters getting state funding for facilities for the first time
For the first time in Texas, charter schools will receive funding from the state to pay for leasing and maintaining buildings and facilities. That has charter advocates excited — and their critics furious.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
In beleaguered La Marque schools, Harvey stirs up old anxieties
Last year, the state forced Texas City ISD to annex, or absorb, its neighboring district. After months of work, efforts to improve conditions for students from annexed La Marque ISD hit a significant speed bump: Hurricane Harvey.
Posted in
Public Education
At one small rural school, less state money means everyone does more
At Coleman High School, the failure of legislation to raise teacher pay and fix the school finance system at the Capitol means another year of finding creative ways to attract new teachers and do more for the students.
Posted in
Public Education
“Disappointed” House accepts Senate’s changes to school finance bill
The Texas House voted Tuesday to swallow a bitter pill and accept a version of a school finance bill that had $1.5 billion less in funding for schools than the lower chamber initially approved.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: It’s never the ending that you expect
The Texas Legislature’s special session ended with a bang, but it wasn’t the sound of the property tax bill the governor was hoping for. Will he call state lawmakers back for more?
Posted inState Government
As chambers negotiate on property taxes, intra-Republican tensions flare
Lawmakers moved closer Monday to giving some — but not all — Texans more say over the property taxes they must pay cities, counties and special-purpose districts each year.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas House, Senate move toward school finance compromise
The Texas House and Senate tentatively passed each other’s priority school finance bills Monday, preparing to discuss potential compromises with two days left in the special session.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Broken school finance system spawns wild solutions
In Austin — the poster child for property tax recapture in Texas right now — the school district is telling taxpayers they’ll be sending $2.6 billion to the state over the next five years. That’s inspiring some crazy ideas.
Posted in
Public Education
Nearly 1,500 school officials urge Patrick to accept House school finance bill
In a letter sent to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Thursday, nearly 1,500 local school superintendents and trustees urged the head of the Senate to support the House’s primary piece of school finance legislation, House Bill 21.
