1. Are our children less precious?
Equity Center presentation
February 11, 2015

2. Texas Education Code on Equity
Sec 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

3. Texas Education Code on Equity
Sec 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

4. El Paso—600 miles Waco—100 miles
Two people are hired to deliver boxes. Every Monday morning, Person A
Equity Center 2/11/2015

5. Texas Education Code on Equity
In other words, Sec 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

6. Equity Center 2/11/2015

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Small District Penalty
Revenue Lost to Penalty Formula
Lipan ISD
$398,779
Tolar ISD
$604,724
Equity Center 2/11/2015

11. 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

12. Equity Center Standing Up for Texas Taxpayers and Children