Are our children less precious? Equity Center presentation February 11, 2015
Texas Education Code on Equity Sec. 42.001. STATE POLICY. (a) It is the policy of this state that the provision of public education is a state responsibility and that a thorough and efficient system be provided and substantially financed through state revenue sources so that each student enrolled in the public school system shall have access to programs and services that are appropriate to the student's educational needs and that are substantially equal to those available to any similar student, notwithstanding varying local economic factors. Equity Center 2/11/2015
Texas Education Code on Equity Sec. 42.001. STATE POLICY. (b) The public school finance system of this state shall adhere to a standard of neutrality that provides for substantially equal access to similar revenue per student at similar tax effort, considering all state and local tax revenues of districts after acknowledging all legitimate student and district cost differences. Equity Center 2/11/2015
El Paso—600 miles Waco—100 miles Two people are hired to deliver boxes. Every Monday morning, Person A Equity Center 2/11/2015
Texas Education Code on Equity In other words, Sec. 42.001. STATE POLICY. (b) says: The Texas public school finance system requires a close correlation between revenue per WADA and tax rate. Equity Center 2/11/2015
Equity Center 2/11/2015
Classroom Disadvantages If the public schools in Hood County were funded at the same level the state funds districts with the highest Yield Levels (Total M&O revenue per WADA, per penny of tax), what would your funding level be? Equity Center 2/11/2015
Classroom Disadvantages Compared to Top 20% of Districts, by Yield District Disadvantage M&O Tax Rate Disadvantage Granbury ISD $20,603 $6,101,562 2 cents Lipan ISD $29,897 $452,074 16 cents Tolar ISD $45,080 $1,449,937 Equity Center 2/11/2015
Classroom Disadvantages Compared to Top 10% of Districts, by Yield District Disadvantage M&O Tax Rate Disadvantage Granbury ISD $45,138 $13,367,603 2 cents Lipan ISD $61,631 $931,935 16 cents Tolar ISD $73,301 $2,357,621 Equity Center 2/11/2015
Small District Penalty Revenue Lost to Penalty Formula Lipan ISD $398,779 Tolar ISD $604,724 Equity Center 2/11/2015
Small District Penalty Repeal House Senate HB 645 Ashby, Cook, Guillen, Farney, and VanDeaver, plus 9 co-authors SB 324 Nichols and Eltife HB 720 Frank HB 666/719 (Partial) Ken King Equity Center 2/11/2015
Equity Center Standing Up for Texas Taxpayers and Children