Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Post

NEW RESEARCH: In the coming months, county commissioners will be taking up school board budgets. These discussions and votes are an annual occurrence, though this year's discussion may have a different tone than years past. Billions of federal relief dollars are set to expire in September 2024 coupled with the state witnessing declining enrollments and increased staff, there will be a decision to rightsize budgets or potential tax increases to replace relief funding. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds have to be spent or obligated this fall, and with the pandemic behind us and no new federal relief funds coming to public schools, county commissioners and school boards will have difficult decisions to make this budget season. This policy brief serves as information regarding where some of this mammoth amount of funding has gone. https://lnkd.in/etmf6gv3

voucher scheme proponents want Black kentuckians to believe voting yes on amendment 2 will create new opportunities for our children to attend elite private schools. it’s a lie. in reality, the average voucher award in neighboring states falls far short of the total private school tuition leaving Black families on the hook for the difference. instead of diverting taxpayer money from public schools—where 90% of students attend—we need leaders in frankfort to address teacher shortages, fund universal pre-k, and fully fund the transportation that kentucky families need. Black kentuckians should vote NO on amendment 2. (source edchoice.org)

Are you a parent, grandparent or know someone who is expecting a child? A 529 education savings plan is a great way to start saving for baby's future that everyone can contribute to. That's right - anyone can contribute up to $17,000 per year (increasing to $18,000 in 2024) to the plan. 529 education savings plans offer low-cost investments that grow tax-free as long as those funds are used to pay for eligible education expenses including elementary and secondary tuition. 529 plans have a special provision that allows the equivalent of five years' worth of gifts to be contributed at one time. And starting this year, grandparents can open these accounts with their grandchildren as beneficiary without impacting their federal needs calculation. Have questions about 529 plans? Contact us today. #savingsplan #education #taxprofessionals #taxadvisor

The Texas public education system is the second largest in the country. Smart planning and adequate funding are essential to make this system work for every Texan. However, school funding is not a simple subject. It helps to think of funding schools like filling a glass of water 💧. The water in the glass represents the amount of money💰 the Texas Legislature allocates to educate each student. The water glass can shrink or grow. But many people are surprised to learn that the size of a Texas school district’s water glass– or how much money is available for, and sent on day-to-day school operations–is decided almost entirely by the state legislature, NOT school boards or superintendents. We have created a series of School Finance videos to help every taxpayer understand how schools in Texas are funded, what they spend their money on, and how Texas stacks up against the rest of the country. We welcome your thoughts and hope these are helpful in your conversations about school funding. https://lnkd.in/ged-y8_a #TxEd #TxLege #FundOurSchools

QUESTION: Why is Spokane Public Schools asking for levy money now? ANSWER: Washington school districts are limited to a maximum of four years for Educational Programs and Operations levies before they need to ask the community for renewal. Spokane Public Schools is on a three-year levy cycle. The last levy election passed by voters was in 2021 to help fund district programs and operations in 2022, 2023, and 2024. As the 2021 levy expires, a replacement levy must be approved to continue funding those programs and operations in 2025, 2026 and 2027. The accompanying chart provides information about local levy contributions to annual necessary program and service budgets. More Frequently Asked Questions and information about the bond and levy can be found at https://lnkd.in/gF5VyEXC. If you have questions that haven’t been addressed, please reach out at bit.ly/SPSContactUs so we can make sure your question is answered. The bond and levy will be presented to voters on Feb. 13. Remember to vote.

Such a great tool to understanding how public schools are funded.

Labours intention to add VAT onto private school fees doesn't address the issue. I'll explain why. Increasing private school fees by 15%-20% will not significantly affect the rich. Instead, it will impact middle-income families who are already making significant financial sacrifices to afford private education for their children. Research states this is around 25% of the private school population, translating to approximately 136,250 children out of the current 545,000 enrolled in private schools. There is then a cost to 136,250 students would move across to the state system. The average cost to educate a child in the state system is around £7,000 per year. This would require an additional £953.75 million annually from the public school system, which is notoriously struggling with limited resources. Let's assume a 15% net rate, on an average fee of £5,200 for the remaining 408,750 private school students. This would amount to approximately £956.48 million. Given these figures, the net additional revenue generated would be roughly, just, £3 million. This policy will add strain to the public education system. Independent tutors are reporting over four-year waiting lists, and in grammar school areas, only 1 out of every 3 children who live there will be offered a place. Teachers are already under immense pressure and could face larger class sizes once more. In a policy designed to raise funds, it just adds greater strain to an already fragile system.

It is deeply troubling that we continue to allow school lunch debt to burden children. Growing up in Texas, I witnessed firsthand how unfair it was for students to worry about something as basic as their next meal. I often found myself helping friends who didn’t have lunch money or had accumulated debt. No child should have to worry about food or be subjected to an ‘alternative meal’ simply because their family is facing financial hardship. In a time when inflation is placing immense pressure on families, the focus should be on ensuring that children are well-nourished and able to focus on their education. Providing students with nutritious meals should not be seen as an optional benefit but as a fundamental right. It was a key point of my platform during my campaign for Texas’s 12th congressional district that no child should go hungry at school. We must prioritize programs like free school lunches for all students, especially when we see wasteful government spending in other areas. The question isn’t whether we can afford it – it’s about making the right choices with our resources. We need to stop funding unnecessary initiatives and instead invest in our future by ensuring that every child has access to free, nutritious school meals. https://t.co/GsTyqoMSyU

FACT: Charter Schools are a bargain for taxpayers Funding to educate a child follows the child. Wherever a student enrolls, that public school – whether it be district or charter – receives public funding to cover the expenses of the child’s education. The fact is charter schools “cost” districts less money as their per-pupil allocation is lower than what district schools receive per student, which is unfair but forces them to manage their money better. Charter schools allow public resources to stay in the public school system and help ensure that taxpayer dollars are well spent by requiring schools to perform well or close. In NYS, charter schools do not receive public funding to cover facilities. Overall, charter schools must be good stewards of their funding as they receive about 30 percent less per pupil per year than district schools. State law requires charter schools to be financially transparent about their spending. Get the facts about Rochester, NY charter schools at edceptional.org/facts

Addressing the financial deficits faced by Texas school districts, despite the state's record budget surplus, requires a multi-faceted approach. Here are some immediate and viable solutions: 1. **Reallocate State Surplus Funds**: Advocate for the reallocation of a portion of the state budget surplus directly to school districts. This can be done through legislative action to ensure that surplus funds are directed towards filling budget gaps in education. 2. **Increase State Funding for Education**: Push for an increase in the base funding per student. This can be achieved by revising the state's funding formulas to provide more equitable distribution of resources, particularly to underfunded districts. 3. **Emergency Grants and Relief Funds**: Establish emergency grants or relief funds that schools can apply for to cover immediate deficits. These funds can be targeted towards critical areas such as teacher salaries, educational programs, and infrastructure needs. 4. **Public-Private Partnerships**: Encourage partnerships between school districts and local businesses or non-profits. These partnerships can provide additional funding, resources, and support for programs that are at risk due to budget deficits. 5. **Efficiency Audits and Cost-Cutting**: Implement efficiency audits to identify potential cost-saving measures within school districts. This might include consolidating services, renegotiating vendor contracts, or reducing administrative overhead. 6. **Increase Local Funding**: Explore options for increasing local funding through bonds or local tax initiatives. While this may require voter approval, it can provide a more stable and predictable source of funding for school districts. 7. **Federal Assistance**: Seek additional federal funding through grants and programs designed to support education. This can include Title I funds for low-income schools, special education funding, and other federal initiatives. By combining these strategies, Texas can address the immediate financial needs of its school districts while working towards long-term sustainability and equity in education funding. #texasschooldistricts #schooldisctrictcfo #schooldistricthr #Superintendent #TexasSchoolBoards #