Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) adopts public school finance plan

TASB Headquarters Austin

At the fall meeting of The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), the Board of Directors  re-affirmed approval of the TASB School Finance Plan adopted in September.

Passionate discussion during the Saturday, November 13, 2010 Austin board meeting revealed TASB Directors are committed to investing time and resources to help Districts learn more about the proposed School Finance Plan.  It replaces the current Target Revenue and two tiered formula systems with a simpler single-tier guaranteed yield plan.   No school district loses revenue as a result of the TASB plan.

•  Find out the history and resources regarding current issues facing school finance on TASB's site -  Click Here.
  

• To learn about the TASB School Finance Plan and see a video that introduces and explains it - Click Here.

• To see the TASB plan frequently asked questions - Click Here. 

• TASB plan news release - Click Here. 

• TASB school finance plan calculator - Click Here.

 TASB supports a school finance system that:

• provides districts with an adequate amount of state and local funds to prepare students to achieve rigorous academic goals, covers districts’ rising operating costs and funds state and federal mandates;
• gives school boards local control over the tax rate and access to more golden pennies without voter approval;
• provides formula-funding to close the equity gap among districts as soon as possible; and
• attributes statewide property value growth back to the school finance system.
  

Exhibit 1:  A Visual Comparison of the Current School Finance System and the TASB Plan

TASB supports state funding that includes, but is not limited to: 

• career and technology (CTE) courses, beginning in middle school, that allow students to meet the state’s graduation requirements;
• free prekindergarten programs for either a full-day or for more student groups, at local district option;
• curricular interventions and programs to help at-risk students; and
• construction and renovation of public school district facilities to meet the state’s growing student population.

TASB opposes the diversion of taxpayer dollars to private schools, including vouchers, tuition tax credits, and other such programs funded with public tax dollars.

TASB opposes the use of the Permanent School Fund for open enrollment charter school facilities.

TASB Directors represent large and small districts throughout the state and promote educational excellence for all Texas school children. 

My initial committee assignment will be Budget and Finance.