Dripping Springs ISD avoided laying off teachers as a result of state budget cuts. But it has eliminated custodial positions, and that has left teachers there with new tasks once the school bell rings: sweeping classrooms and taking out the trash.
school finance
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Our all-hands-on-deck series on new laws — 31 Days, 31 Ways — continues, Root covers a challenge to the governor’s school finance fix and the tax that makes it work, Philpott forecasts a presidential media tsunami will hit Texas, Murphy with a look at midyear campaign reports from candidates and PACs in Texas, yours truly on the quiet spot at the top of the 2014 ballot, Hamilton on government-required vaccinations against meningitis, Grissom reports on the heat wave in un-air-conditioned Texas jails, Aguilar on the private security business along the state’s border with Mexico and M. Smith’s interview with Nicole Hurd on how to get more high school students into college: The best of our best content from Aug. 8 to 12, 2011.
Posted in
Public Education
Fees for Students Redefine “Free” Public School
As cash-strapped public schools attempt to squeeze every possible dollar out of their budgets, an unpleasant reality awaits parents: They will most likely have to pay for programs and services that schools once provided for free.
Posted in
Public Education
And Then There Were Taxes
A week has passed since school districts bracing for the worst at last got what they’ve been waiting for throughout the legislative session: finality.
Posted in
Public Education
The Brief: July 1, 2011
Since most Texas counties have fireworks bans in effect this July 4 weekend, what better way to celebrate than recalling the legislative fireworks of recent weeks and imagining those still to come on the campaign trail?
Posted in
Public Education
How Will It Play?
Lawmakers have officially made their exit from the Pink Building, leaving two bills that will bring major changes to Texas school districts awaiting the governor’s signature. Lawmakers, meanwhile, are wondering whether and how the two measures will play in next year’s elections.
Posted in
Public Education
Video: Donna Howard on Rainy Day Funding for Schools
An amendment from Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, that would have directed surplus money from the Rainy Day Fund to pay for enrollment growth in public schools perished in conference committee, but came up again in debate before the final vote on a fiscal matters bill to which it was attached.
Posted in
Public Education
Staying After School
The special session hasn’t done much to alter the school finance plan that dragged lawmakers into overtime.
Posted in
Public Education
Poll: Education Foremost on Minds of Texans
Public education in Texas is now the top concern — surpassing immigration and even the economy — for many Texans, according to poll results released today by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Texas Lyceum.
Posted in
Public Education
With Less State Money, Will Schools Raise Local Taxes?
Across the state, school districts are considering raises local taxes to pay for the state shortfall in funding. But will the same public that sent lawmakers to Austin in November with an overwhelming no-new-taxes imperative accept paying more locally to preserve programs and jobs?
