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Legislative Update
THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION ... ARTICLE 7. EDUCATION
Sec. 1. SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF SYSTEM OF PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS. A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools. 
 
The Legislature ...
 
Created the target revenue system that set each district at a different per pupil funding level
            - frozen funding levels based on 05-06 (3rd Special Session 2006)
 
Lowered the maximum M&O property tax rate from $1.50 to $1.04
 
Required school districts to have voter approval to increase M&O tax rate
            - No other local taxing authority has to gain voter approval of the local tax rate
            - The first 2 additional pennies of a tax increase would stay within the local district
            - The last additional 11 pennies of a tax increase would be subject to recapture (Robin Hood)
               (for Carroll ISD, over 60% of the revenue from these 11 cents would go to the state)
            - About 20% of Texas school districts are at the max. rate of $1.17 as of June 2011
 
Created a business margins tax to replace the franchise tax
            - This business tax was expected to make up for the loss of state revenue from lowered property taxes
            - In 2011 the Margins Tax is underperforming by about $5 billion
 
Used $1.9 billion of federal stimulus money during the 2009 Legislative Session
            - The federal money was used instead of rather than in addition to regular state funding for public education
            - This accounts for part of the state's revenue shortfall and the shortfall for public education spending, even though it was     known in advance that the stimulus money was one-time revenue, not ongoing
 
 
The 82nd Legislature ... Special Session 2011
 
Cut public education funding by $4 billion over next biennium
            - Areas school are expected to lose $260 million over the next biennium (Carroll to lose $8 mil)
            - 2011-2012 cuts are across the board cuts. Carroll ISD to lose $3,325,977 (4% cut)
            - 2012-2013 cuts are tied to the complex finance system. Carroll ISD to lose $4,759,977 (9% cut)
 
 
The 2011 Legislative Plan includes establishing a joint committee to address school finance before the next session of the legislature.
 
For more information re: Public School Finance in Texas, please go to the Texas Association of School Boards' website:

Report on Tarrant County Day (March 3) in Austin:

A small contingency of Carroll supporters drove to Austin March 3 to take part in Tarrant County Day and to deliver more than 2,400 postcards and letters turned in by local taxpayers, business leaders, school children and employees.

Carroll officials had good meetings in Austin on Tarrant County Day, but things still look quite gloomy for Texas public schools.   The following update was given by Trustee Sue Armstrong at the March 7 School Board meeting:

We met with over 15 legislators and aides that specifically deal with the Senate or House Public Education Committees or Appropriations/Finance Committees. The state is looking at $10-$12 billion in cuts to public education.  Senator Florence Shapiro  called the proposed cuts "devastating" to public education.  Chairman Ogden (Senate Finance Committee) said the cuts would "decimate" public education.

All in all, there was mostly a positive reception to the message points below:

  • Under the target revenue system, we've been doing less with more for five years already
  • We shared with them information from our October 19 The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Forum
  • Target revenue system is not working - over 60% of districts are using fund balance to cover revenue shortfalls
  • When the system is changed, be sure there is enough revenue to properly fund education
  • Just capping target revenue without the business tax bringing in more or other revenue to cover the shortfall will not work
  • We explained CISD's $2 million in cuts, our ongoing Expense Reduction Plan (which began in 2009), electricity savings, solar panels, LED lighting, etc. as ways the district is being efficient
  • The next cuts will affect the classroom
  • On top of this current funding issue, now state revenue shortfall puts us in a dire situation
  • The state should tap the rainy day fund AND fix the finance system

We had meetings scheduled, but the House was in session longer than expected debating the sonogram bill.  Rep. Vicki Truitt was very helpful in getting representatives off the floor to meet with us.
 
Chairman Jim Pitts (House Appropriations Committee) & Rep. Truitt came out personally to meet with our group on the south steps to inform us Rep. Pitts had sponsored a bill to use some of the Rainy Day Fund (over $4 billion to cover shortfalls in the current year).  As we all know, Gov. Rick Perry and certain legislators are adamantly opposed to using any of the Rainy Day fund even though the intended purpose of the fund is to cover revenue shortfalls during poor economic times.  This is unlike our fund balance which is a cash flow account, which especially covers expenses incurred before taxes are collected and payments are received from the state.
 
Sen. Shapiro has filed legislation to decrease mandates for public school, which is a great first step.  Sen. Wendy Davis has also been helpful in proposing legislation that will help school districts (potential of more "golden pennies" that would stay in our district, utility discount for public schools).  Other education supporters are Rep. Todd Smith, Sen. Jane Nelson, Rep. Mark Shelton and Rep. Diane Patrick among others.  Rep. Rob Eissler continued to state that districts need to be more efficient because the state does not have money. 
 
It is still somewhat early in the session and numbers will change. Susan Combs, the State Comptroller, just came out with revenues showing a slight increase.  However, the latest projection by the Senate Education Committee is about $8.3 million in cuts for Carroll ISD.
 
We can no longer just hope that the legislators will do the right thing.  Everyone must contact them to let them know the value of public education and that it must be properly funded.  We are working on making it easier for parents to email their legislators ... letting them write a message, then have just one click to send to the message to all key education and budget legislators. 

We delivered over 2,500 postcards ... ALL LEGISLATORS SAID IT WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HEAR FROM REGULAR CONSTITUENTS AND VOTERS.  Each voice can make a difference.



Carroll ISD joined Aledo ISD and hundreds of other districts across the state in a united message to encourage Texas Legislators to Make Education A Priority!
 
The district wants to collect one letter and/or postcard for each student enrolled in Carroll ISD - 7,676 - to hand deliver to Austin during the 82 Legislative Session.
 
 
Letters can be dropped off at any Carroll ISD campus in boxes provided in the front office or at Central Administration, 3051 Dove Road, Grapevine.
 

Emailed letters may be sent to everychildcounts@southlakecarroll.edu

 
Postcards with space for individualized personal messages are available at any CISD campus! The postcards were funded through personal donations of local Trustees and taxpayers and not with CISD budget money.
 

Letters to Texas Legislature

Local Trustees will be working with other local school districts, the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), and state legislators, locally and in Austin, to ensure the interests of the district are represented during the legislative process. 

Select from the following:

 

Key Legislative Dates of Interest

Monday, November 8, 2010
Pre-filing of legislation for the 82nd Legislature begins

Tuesday, January 11, 2011
82nd Legislature convenes at noon in Austin

Friday, March 11, 2011 (60th Day)
Last day for filing bills

Monday, May 30, 2011 (140th Day)
Last day of 82nd Regular Session; Corrections only in House and Senate

Sunday, June 19, 2011 (20th day following final adjournment)
Last day governor can sign or veto bills passed during the regular legislative session

Monday, August 21, 2011 (91st day following final adjournament)
Date that bills without specific effective dates (that could not be effective immediately) become law

The following information is an excerpt shared from a United Educators Association (UEA) communication.
 

School Finance Forum Website

A new website has been created following the Pubic School Finance Forum that was held at Carroll Senior High School in October. The three districts involved were Carroll ISD, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and Keller. This resource contains handouts from each district, a finance video and photos from the event.

>School Finance Forum Website
 

Resolution of Acknowledgment: Make Education A Priority
 

Whereas, the current Texas public finance system is negatively affecting an increasing number of public school districts; and
 
Whereas, past diligent legislative efforts to address the state’s method of adequately and equitably funding Texas schools has fallen short of broad measured success; and
 
Whereas, the legislative year of 2011 bears the attributes of repeating the 2009 legislative session’s lack of reliable funding improvements; it is therefore

Resolved, that a responsible community of educational leaders with a united awareness respectfully empower and support our respected legislative representatives to act; and be it

Resolved, that in light of our current Texas economic challenges and the complexity of financing public education; improvements in school funding be established with an attitude where education is found as one of the highest priorities; and be it

Resolved, this attitude begins within the leadership of Texas school districts and together, we respectfully share one unified message to all involved: Make Education a Priority

The Carroll Independent School District Board of Trustees respectfully acknowledges, applauds and joins the priority efforts to protect the pursuit of quality education for all children.


Carroll Independent School District
Erin Shoupp, President
Sherri Williams, Vice President
Craig Rothmeier, Secretary
Sue Armstrong
Bernie Ausdenmoore
Read Ballew
John Thane
  

Expenditure Reduction Update

The Carroll Independent School District is in the middle of a multi-year Expenditure Reduction (ER) process. Information about the district's financial situation is available, along with a public survey for feedback on the website link below.

 

Expenditure Reduction Process Website

 

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Contacting Your Representatives

 

Citizens interested in contacting their state legislators, are encouraged to do so.

 


State Legislators Contact Information List

House Public Education Committee

Senate Finance Committee

House Appropriations

Senate Public Education Committee

 

Contacting local legislators: http://www.tasb.org/legislative/index.aspx 

 
Texas Legislature Online: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
 
 
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: GPA http://www.thecb.state.tx.us
 
 
Texas Education Association & The State Board of Education: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/
 
 
Texas Association of School Boards: http://tasb.org/
 
 

Representing Carroll ISD:

  • SBOE Member District 11
    Patricia Hardy (R)
    sboesupport@tea.state.tx.us

    900 North Elm
    Weatherford, Texas 76086
    (817) 598-2968
    Fax: (817) 598-2833

     
  • State Senator Wendy Davis (District 10) - Official Website
    wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

    Capitol Address
    The Honorable Wendy Davis
    P.O. Box 12068
    Capitol Station
    Austin, Texas 78711
    (512) 463-0110
    Fax: (512) 475-3745

    District Address
    2421 W. 7th, Building A, Suite 350
    Fort Worth, Texas 76107
    (817) 332-3338
    Fax: (817) 332-1230

     
  • State Senator Jane Nelson (District 12) - Official Website
    jane.nelson@senate.state.tx.us

    Capitol Address
    The Honorable Jane Nelson
    P.O. Box 12068
    Capitol Station
    Austin, Texas 78711
    (512) 463-0112
    Fax: (512) 463-0923

    District Address
    1235 S. Main Street, Suite 280
    Grapevine, Texas 76051
    (817) 424-3446
    Fax: (817) 488-6648
     
  • State Representative Vicki Truitt (District 98) - Official Website
    vicki.truitt@house.state.tx.us

    Capitol Address
    Room CAP GW.18
    P.O. Box 2910
    Austin, Texas 78768
    (512) 463-0690
    Fax: (512) 477-5770

    District Address
    1256 Main Street #248
    Southlake, Texas 76092
    (817) 488-4098
    Fax: (817) 488-4099
     

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School Finance Facts

  • CISD does not receive facilities funding or a transportation allotment from the State of Texas
  • K-12 public school districts do not receive the benefit of rising property values like the hospital districts, cities and junior college districts do. Instead of going to your children's education, that money goes to the state.
  • Carroll ISD's state funding is based on student enrollment funded at 2006-2007 levels - we receive $5,599 per student
  • The state's average expenditure per student is $7,818
  • Robin Hood is not dead; this year, Carroll ISD will surrender nearly $10 million in local property taxes; our district has paid more than $100 million out in Robin Hood funds since the 2001-2002 school year
  • Texas spends the 7th least of all states on education per student
  • Texas ranks #50 in the nation with adults who have a high school diploma
  • Texas is one of 10 states that has not joined in the effort known as Common Core, whose goal is to establish more uniform expectations for the nation's students, in contrast to the wide variations in academic standards that exist among the states today.
  • The State of Texas expects an even greater budget shortfall for the next legislative session. Sales tax collections are down across the state
  • The only new money put into public education K-12 last Legislative Session was the $1.9 billion federal stimulus money that will expire in another year
  • Per Senator Florence Shapiro, the next education issue will be "virtual schools"
  • Of the 1,100 school districts in Texas, about 800 of them have fewer than 1,000 students K-12
  • Of the 1,100 school districts in Texas, only about 100 are Chapter 41 districts that pay into the Robin Hood system

 

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TASB Legislative Update

July 1, 2009

 

The 81st Texas Legislative Session adjourned with only a temporary fix in the area of school finance and much still up in the air about how legislation will directly affect Carroll ISD. A total of 6,000 bills were filed during the session - about 1,400 passed in the House and Senate. Governor Rick Perry did veto 38 bills, most notably HB 130 regarding full-day prekindergarten. For more details about the Governor's vetoes, click here.

 

Along with changes in funding and accountability there was some other good news:

 

 - the Governor's 65 percent rule was abolished. This rule required schools districts to spend at least 65 percent of their operating budgets on instructional-related expenditures, which sounds good in theory and is support by most districts, but didn't take into account rising fuel, utility and food costs or expenditures for support positions necessary for district operations.

 

 - the Higher Education Board will NOT develop a uniform GPA (Grade Point Average) calculation;

 

 - the top 10 percent rule was changed -  the change only affects the University of Texas - up to 75 percent of the freshman class for top 10 percent students based on last year's enrollment, so not much changed;

 

 - districts do not have to put seatbelts on buses unless they are reimbursed for these costs by the state;

 

 - districts do not have to reduce energy consumption by five percent per year but must have a long-range energy plan, which CISD does;

 

 - no private school voucher bills were passed plus the state budget has language that prohibits state funds from being used for vouchers;

 

 - districts are no longer required to do the state-mandated bus evacuation drills each semester, though CISD does have a bus rider's safety manual and conducts annual driver training;

 

 - State Board of Education meetings are not required to be broadcast over the internet;

 

 - school districts are no longer allowed to have minimum grade policies;

 

 - districts can use textbook funds for electronic media (the Commisioner of Education will create a list of electronic materials);

 

 - districts do NOT have to name superintendent finalists;

 

 - the Legislature did NOT change or increase the number of charter schools; and

 

 - the state no longer requires a Health, Speech or Technology class as a graduation requirement. They instead want to provide more opportunities for students to take electives.

 

For more information, read the latest Texas Association of School Board's Legislative Coverage 

  

Carroll School Board
2010-2011 Legislative Platform

Carroll Independent School District's mission is to provide a caring and creative learning environment that promotes excellence, fosters integrity and encourages each student to reach his or her academic, extracurricular, and social potential.

As the elected School Board, we believe in and support the importance of accountability, adequate funding and local control. We join other Texas school boards and districts with a united voice on behalf of the children of our state.

Accountability

Carroll ISD supports ongoing efforts to ensure a consistent accountability system that measures student academic growth over time.
In support of this priority, we encourage the following:
·  A less complicated system that aligns with national accountability standards and reduces testing requirements;
·  A rating system based on mutually agreed upon, multiple measurements that takes individual student growth into account over a specified period of time;
·  Consideration for high-performing students and campuses with little room to chart annual growth;
·  Freedom and flexibility through state waivers for those districts who continue to meet the state’s top academic standards; and
·  The addition of a distinguished tier in the state’s accountability rating system, allowing those districts and campuses who earn that distinction the opportunity to maintain their top rating for a three-year period;

Finance
Carroll ISD supports ongoing efforts to ensure that the school finance system adequately provides resources for all Texas school children, while still allowing local districts the opportunity to provide enrichment opportunities to promote academic rigor in their communities.
In support of this priority, we encourage the following:
·  A capacity adjustment to accommodate teacher and other employee salary increases, increased costs of education and legislative mandates not adjusted for since the 2005-06 and 2006-07 fiscal years;
·  Reinstatement of formula-driven funding versus static revenue per WADA to better accommodate changes in enrollment growth, student populations, increased performance expectations and local property values;
·  Equalized state funding that eliminates district-to-district discrepancies;
·  Broadening of the definition of the 65 Percent Rule’s “instruction-related costs” to include unaccounted costs necessary to deliver a quality instructional program;
·  Relief for Chapter 41 school districts restricted by the state’s M&O rate cap;
·  The return of revenues generated through annual property value growth back to the local school districts;
·  Relief from unfunded Legislative mandates as outlined by the Texas Association of School Boards;
·  An increase in high school allotment monies along with a continued effort to align and evaluate these programs for effectiveness;
·  An allowance for transportation allocations in Chapter 41 district funding along with an update of the transportation formula;
·  The addition of an inflationary index that takes into account the cost of educating a child, such as rising fuel, utility and personnel expenses; and
·  The continuation of the current three-class payment structure to public school districts, while opposing efforts to initiate a “smoothing effect” payment system that does not respond to the timing of cash flow needs per district. 
Local Control
Carroll ISD supports ongoing efforts to ensure that locally elected School Board Trustees are given the authority to make decisions that directly affect the constituents and children they serve.
In support of this priority, we encourage the following:
·  Removal of restrictions in the call dates for school bond elections;
·  Freedom for local districts to make budget decisions on instructional spending based on their community’s expectations and standards for academic rigor;
·  Returning tax levy authority to the local elected officials versus costly and difficult to explain M&O rollback elections; and
·  Flexibility and freedom in making school calendar decisions. 

Posted on Sun, Jan. 11, 2009

 

CITIZEN'S TOOLBOX: Keeping up with legislation and your lawmakers
 
As Texas’ 81st legislative session begins this week, local governments and school districts have their wish lists in hand and hope that state lawmakers will consider their issues. Here’s a look at some key issues they will be watching closely:
Transportation
A coalition of Metroplex cities including Fort Worth, Arlington and Dallas wants the Legislature to help cities raise the money needed to get a regional rail system off the ground. Cities are asking lawmakers in Austin to consider different options to raise the money, including increasing vehicle registration fees and raising gas and property taxes. Every funding mechanism would require approval by the voters it affects.
Dallas hopes to get more funding for its streetcar systems.
Barnett Shale
More than 20 cities, including Fort Worth, Southlake, Euless and Mansfield, have adopted resolutions calling on the Legislature to give local governments some oversight over natural gas pipeline routes. Under Texas law, companies that build those lines have the same right to condemn private property as any other utility.
Fort Worth is calling on the Legislature to increase the Texas Railroad Commission’s funding so the state agency can pay for more inspections of gas wells and pipelines.
Fort Worth hopes for a change in the state law that limits how cities can invest revenue from gas lease bonuses and royalties. The current law limits returns to 3 percent or 4 percent annually.
Schools
Officials with several area school districts, including Fort Worth, Arlington and Birdville, say their priority is seeing lawmakers update the state’s formula for school funding to reflect increasing expenses, such as utilities and gas. Wealthier districts are especially concerned that too much of their funding — millions of dollars in some cases — is being rerouted to poorer districts.
Dallas is pushing for approval to establish a University of Texas law school at its Old Municipal Building downtown as well as funding to build a second building for the school’s campus.
The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district wants to see state law require that liquor stores be at least 1,000 feet from public schools.
Quality of life
Fort Worth is backing mandatory sentencing for prostitution occurring within 1,000 feet of residences, churches, schools, day-care facilities, public parks, motels, hotels, sexually oriented businesses or premises licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
Several municipalities hope to see a statewide smoking ban passed this session. Many bar and restaurant owners complain that being in a city with a ban puts them at a competitive disadvantage to establishments in cities that still allow smoking.
Local governments will be watching whether bills giving cities the power to regulate specific types of dogs gain traction. If such a proposal becomes law, cities may consider adopting ordinances restricting or banning certain types of dogs seen as aggressive, such as pit bulls.
Both Fort Worth and Dallas want to see the state create more incentives for filmmakers and media companies to make films in Texas.

How to contact your legislators  

Area state representatives  
 
District 90: Lon Burnam — 1067 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104, 817-924-1997, Fax: 817-924-6788; Capitol: Room GW.8, Capitol Building, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0740, Fax: 512-463-1075

District 91: Kelly Hancock — P.O. Box 185096, Fort Worth, TX 76181, 817-590-9280, Fax: 817-590-9281; Capitol: Room E1.406, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0599
District 92: Todd Smith — 1608 Airport Freeway, Bedford, TX 76022, 817-283-3131, Fax: 817-283-0003; Capitol: Room GW.6, Capitol Building, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0522, Fax: 512-463-9529
District 93: Paula Pierson — 1201 N. Watson Rd., Arlington, TX 76006; 817-385-4786, Fax: 817-385-4718; Capitol: Room E2.210, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701; 512-463-0562, Fax: 512-474-2147
District 94: Diane Patrick — 318 Main St., Suite 102, Arlington, TX 76010; Capitol: Room E2.412, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0624, Fax: 512-463-8386
District 95: Marc Veasey — TECH Fort Worth Building, Fort Worth, TX 76104, 817-339-1430, Fax: 817-339-9352; Capitol: Room E1.306, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0716, Fax: 512-463-1516
District 96: Chris Turner — Room E2.402, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0374
District 97: Mark Shelton — 512-463-0608
District 98: Vicki Truitt — 1256 Main St., Suite 248, Southlake, TX 76092, 817-488-4098, Fax: 817-488-4099; Capitol: Room GW.18, Capitol Building, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0690, Fax: 512-477-5770
District 99: Charlie Geren — 1011 Roberts Cutoff, River Oaks, TX 76114, 817-738-8333, Fax: 817-738-8362; Capitol: Room E2.308, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0610, Fax: 512-463-8310

Area state senators  

District 9: Chris Harris — 2001 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 150, Arlington, TX 76006, 817-461-9109, Fax: 817-469-9652; Capitol: The Honorable Chris Harris, P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711, 512-463-0109, Fax: 512-463-7003
District 10: Wendy Davis — Room E1.608, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0110
District 12: Jane Nelson — 1235 S. Main St., Suite 280, Grapevine, TX 76051, 817-424-3446; Capitol: The Honorable Jane Nelson, P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711, 512-463-0112, Fax: 512-463-0923
To e-mail a representative: firstname.lastname@house.state.tx.us (example: vicki.truitt@house.state.tx.us)

Reprint Courtesy of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram  

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TASB was created in 1949, as a voluntary, nonprofit, statewide educational association that serves and represents local Texas school districts.  TASB's membership includes all 1,036 Texas school districts, 20 regional education service centers, 50 junior colleges, 37 tax appraisal districts, and 149 educational cooperatives.

The following Cornerstone Principles guide TASB's Advocacy Agenda & organizational conduct.
 
o Excellence in student achievement for all Texas students
o Locally governed and locally controlled public schools
o Rigorous accountability for academic progress
o Adequate funding levels to provide exceptional education programs
o Efficient and effective school management
o Working with parents to create optimal opportunities for each child 

TASB's School Board Advocacy Network is an effort to enhance local school boards’ presence in the legislative process. The Network includes at least one legislative liaison representing every school district in Texas. This proactive strategy will enable more TASB members to become well-informed and effective advocates for public education.

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