FUNDING FALLS SHORT
Between inflation and the state’s per-student spending falling behind the national average, public education advocates are asking for more state funding.
program in the first five years, which would amount to about 60,000 stu- dents transferring in Texas. “So the idea that there’s an exodus is a myth,” Barba said. Barba said school choice programs can lead to improved public school systems, and families choosing alter- native options acts as a signal to districts to design their programs to better suit families’ needs. “When you give families choices, the school districts also improve, and that improves education for every child in the community,” he said. Popinski said vouchers in Texas would ultimately cost about $1 billion a year, and he would rather see that used to increase the basic allotment. “Instead of spending dollars on a new voucher program for private schools and vendors … why not use that general revenue to actually bol- ster public education and get them more resources for teacher pay raises, for new programs, for expanding the things that work?” he said. Cassandra Jenkins contributed to this report.
STATE FUNDING LAGS
LOCAL INFLATION IMPACTS
The basic allotment, or minimum per-student spending at the state level, has not increased since 2019. In that time, the national inflation rate has been about 17%.
Expenses in Katy ISD have continued to increase since 2019, the year the state legislature increased the basic allotment to $6,160.
52.8% of Katy ISD’s
EXPENDITURE CHANGES SINCE 2018-19 Overall expenditure change:
$8K
per-student expenditure comes from local property taxes and other sources this school year; 47.2% comes from the state.
$6K
+17.12%
$4K
House Bill 3 in 2019 increased the basic allotment from $5,140 to $6,160.
Transportation
$2K
+6.61%
$0
Facility maintenance
+24.54%
$56.76 in social and public returns results from every $1 invested in public education, including:
Food service
+28.5%
$31.38 in additional generated revenue $1.15 in reduced social costs to governments
$17.24 in private sector benefits $6.99 in government revenues
Security
+28.62%
Student health
+32.55%
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, THE PERRYMAN GROUP/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: KATY ISD ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • MAY 2023
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