Financial Challenges

Funding Challenges

 

 

There are three challenges in Texas education funding that impact all children in our state. They are ongoing debates and questions. Chapter 41 and 42, the designation of property wealthy and poor districts, M and O tax rate of 1.50 cap, and allotment funding make significant implication on district’s ability to provide quality programs that they are “mandated” to provide. They have in essences created opportunity, as well as limitations for districts to deliver premier programs and services.

 

The M and O tax rate of 1.50 has created a state property tax and often because of this issues are landing in the courts that are very complex and challenging and has forced the legislature to come up with a solution that is constitutional and upholds the obligation of appropriate funding for schools.  With the current strategy in place the formula that is being used allows for allotments based on per pupil within a district and funds are recapture and redistributed based on a per pupil allotment.

 

With the per pupil allotment comes other challenges for districts who may or may not fit certain profiles for certain allotments, leaving many services and programs to be unfunded because of certain characteristics of the district and it’s designation to receive or not receive funds through tiering of these funds. Adjustments are made within the two different tiers like Special Education, Bilingual education receiving funds for the programs based on the number of students in the program and by the weighted calculation of the state. Then, a second tier including transportation, technololgy, and others.  The challenge comes with running and offering these programs  in school districts with the limited resources that are available.

 

The challenge of Chapter 41 and 42 and adequacy in it’s programs because of funding becomes extremely challenging. Funds are being recaptured and programs are suffering because the formulas to redistribute are not necessarily supportive of the programs needed in the property wealthy or poor districts. The challenge of what is needed for that district is not being delivered because of the lack of funding  for that particular service and /or program.

 

These are three areas that definitely create unique challenges for the answer to the questions of how we fund our schools and the education of the children of Texas.