It was time for real reform in 1970

It was time for real reform in 1970

By: Kayne M. Smith
July 30, 2013

Call me pessimistic, but I do not foresee any big change in school finance in the near future. Golsan, in the statement released by the Texas Public Policy Foundation Center for Education stated that “it is time for real reform.” This response to Judge Dietz’s ruling is what I’m certain all educators feel and believe. Sadly, it has been time for ‘real reform’ since Edgewood Independent School District v. Kirby in 1989 or Rodriquez v. San Antonio Independent School District in 1971, and perhaps before.

One of the issues is the limited time our legislature has to solve the complex cases such as school finance reform. It has shown true (with Governor Perry just calling a third special session to address transportation) that the legislature has placed education in the back seat to other issues that they feel are more pertinent. It almost makes me believe that they do not understand the school finance model, and as a result, have no idea how to correct the issue.

I do not work on the curriculum side of the district anymore, but it is apparent to anyone who works in school transportation that there needs to be action taken in school finance when the transportation financial model has not changed since 1984 (when a bus was $20,000; today, they are approximately $95,000). It is no wonder that schools are slashing transportation services. What happens when the big yellow bus is parked? Some kids do not go to school.

I honestly feel that drastic measures will be taken to fix the school finance model. Could this include county-wide districts instead of independent school districts to more equally distribute property wealth over a larger area? We know that new taxes are not an option (at least during the current administration). I only hope that in the next 22 years before I am eligible for retirement that something is presented and implemented that improves and “fixes” the current school finance model.

 
References

Golsan, J. TPPF statement regarding the school finance trial ruling. Retrieved from http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/deer_park/opinion/tppf-statement-regarding-the-school-finance-trial-ruling/article_99e0984f-2882-52b6-9b11-8e72e0ab2506.html

Adequately fund public schools with public funds first – skirting around the issue of school vouchers

Adequately fund public schools with public funds first – skirting around the issue of school vouchers

By: Kayne M. Smith
July 24, 2013

Without going into detail about the presumed pros and cons of school voucher programs, I want to touch upon Sen. Dan Patrick’s (R-Houston) SB 23, which he filed during the legislative session. This bill (which is out of committee but has not been active since) would provide a 15 percent state tax credit to businesses across the state that donate to scholarships aimed at helping disadvantaged students attend private schools.   

Hamilton, in his article Tax credits a smokescreen for school vouchers, explains a proposal similar to what Patrick submitted during this legislative term. Hamilton asks why legislators would attempt to devise a plan that would compensate families whose children attend private schools through corporate tax breaks. It is especially important to note the fact that Texas schools faced $5.4 billion in funding cuts. When you review Patrick’s tax credit plan, it becomes evident that “these corporate tax credits are meant to conceal something else—school vouchers” (Hamilton, 2013).

Essentially, when a taxpayer donates money to a private nonprofit group specially created for this program, the money is collected and scholarships are awarded to families of the organization’s choosing. The state then reimburses the organization through tax credits. This is undeniably a creative way to skirt around the controversial “school voucher” name and program that is recognizable by most.

Unquestionably, private schools need funding to be successful. I want to see every school be successful so that it can provide an exemplary education program to the students they serve, whether it be public or private. However, complicating the already overly-complicated tax code does not seem to be the answer, especially when it is simply a political ploy to purposely hide a system that is arguably controversial and unpopular among many. I also want to see an opportunity where all students may attend a private school if they chose to do so, regardless of socioeconomic status or any other factor.

Private schools may have limited resources without public funding, but we cannot forget that public schools are facing similar issues with public funding available. I think the ultimate issue is to fix the public school finance model before considering how to equitably support private schools. Our legislature cannot continue to be lackadaisical in their obligation to provide a fair and equitable educational model for all students of Texas. The debate of using public funds to support private schools should wait until then.

 

References

Rodrigues, F. & Weber, A. (2013). Texas Senate considers school ‘voucher’ bills, despite House ban. Retrieved from http://kutnews.org/post/texas-senate-considers-school-voucher-bills-despite-house-ban-update

Hamilton, B. (2013). Tax credits a smokescreen for school vouchers. Retrieved from http://www.statesman.com/news/news/opinion/hamilton-tax-credits-a-smokescreen-for-school-vouc/nT8hx/