Hinojosa: Public school funding needs more attention

While the Texas House Committee on Public Education discussed educator and counselor training, prekindergarten programs and educational resources, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, said the panel should be focused on getting more money into the school districts.

“It’s important to me that we focus on ways that we can support our public schools, especially financially,” said Hinojosa, who is a member of the committee. “Inflation has hit our schools very hard, just like it has hit the average family very hard.

She said it costs about $1,000 more per public school student to fund schools now than in 2019, when the last major school funding legislation was passed. She said a basic allotment increase is “the easiest way” to cover that difference.

“We rank only above two other states when it comes to per-student funding. Our teachers get paid about $8,000 below the national average, and we are one of only six states to deduct funding when students are absent,” Hinojosa said.

HB 882, sponsored by Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, would increase the basic allotment by almost $1,000 per student based on the tax rate formula.

“There are issues also like enrollment-based funding, funding for every student. That would be very helpful to our school districts,” Hinojosa said.

Hinojosa’s bill HB 31 would change the funding algorithm in public school districts from average daily attendance to average enrollment, which school districts support because it would increase their funding.

Both HB 31 and HB 882 have been referred to the committee, but public testimony has not yet been taken for either.

On March 22, the Texas Senate Committee on Education reviewed bills that pertain to one of the top legislative priorities for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: school choice.

SB 8 would allow parents to receive public funds for additional educational material for their children through an education savings account, as well as allow parents to have more access to public school information regarding their children.

The school choice amendment proposed, SJR 29, would allow parents to receive public funds to send their children to private or public schools out of their district. Through SB 2483, an education savings account would be created and provide funding for SB 8 and SJR 29.

The Senate committee also discussed two bills that would provide better resources to disadvantaged students.

SB 9 would provide better funding to rural school districts to help improve educator pay and teacher retention.

SB 2354 would allow access to the education savings account program for families with disadvantaged children to meet special education needs outside public schools.

Hinojosa said she believes the state has the power and ability to act now and provide more money to public school districts.

She emphasized that public funding is a key priority for her and that “it should be a priority for the committee.”

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Hinojosa: Public school funding needs more attention