News from Texas, San Marcos & Hays CISDs EDUCATION BRIEFS Community college funds tied to outcomes and needs
Hays CISD Meets Oct. 17, 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Historic Buda Elementary Campus, 300 San Marcos St., Buda 512-268-2141 • www.hayscisd.net San Marcos CISD Meets Oct. 17, 24 at 6 p.m. at San Marcos High School, 2601 Rattler Road, San Marcos 512-393-6700 • www.smcisd.net MEETINGS WE COVER Latino students. Texas State is now one of seven colleges in the state to receive this recognition. Texas State has been designated as a Hispanic-serving institution for more than a decade. HIGHLIGHTS SAN MARCOS CISD The board of trustees reactivated a committee to solicit community feedback for a plan to change the board of trustees structure to seven single-member districts instead of the current structure that includes two at-large districts on Sept. 19. HAYS CISD The district and various campuses throughout received an Energy Star Designation Sept. 26 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a reduction in energy consumption by about 14%. Utility spending per square foot decreased from $1.09 to $0.85. TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY Excelencia in Education announced Sept. 30 that Texas State University has been certified with the Seal of Excelencia in 2022 for its data, practices and leadership in serving NUMBER TO KNOW the Hays CISD general operating budget for the purchase of 51 school buses from Longhorn Bus Sales. The board was originally set to approve the purchase of 55 buses but bought fewer buses due to inflation. $6.78M was approved Sept. 26 from
BY HANNAH NORTON
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING State lawmakers will consider changing the funding model of community colleges in the 2023 legislative session. State money accounts for less than 25% of funding for Texas community colleges. Current model Schools receive a flat sum of $1.3M Additional funding is based on: • enrollment • growth • operational costs • other factors
TEXAS Big changes may be coming to Texas’ community colleges as a commission established by the Texas Legislature in 2021 is set to recom- mend an overhaul of community college funding. The recommendations, created by the Texas Commission on Community College Finance, center around student outcomes, such as graduation and transfer rates, credentials of value and credentials in high-demand fields. The commission is also expected to propose an increase in need- based financial aid and expanded partnerships between colleges and local companies. Every two years, Texas lawmakers designate a specific amount of money to be distributed to individual community colleges. Each school receives a flat sum of approximately $1.3 million, then the state determines additional funding based on enrollment, growth, operational costs and more. According
Proposed model Schools would receive money for credentials of value, which are post- secondary degrees or certificates. More funds awarded based on: • more credentials in high-demand fields; and • students who transfer to four-year universities. Adjustments account for higher costs of educating students who need more support. credentials of value, credentials awarded in high-demand fields and students who transfer to four-year universities, according to the draft recommendations. A credential of value is a postsecondary degree or certificate that prepares a student for economic success.
to the commission, state money accounts for less than 25% of funding for community colleges alongside tuition and local property taxes. Under the proposed finance system, colleges would no longer compete for funding. Instead, schools would receive money for This state funding accounts for less than 25% of a community college's budget. SOURCE: TEXAS COMMISSION ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FINANCE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Tuition reimbursement plan approved for district staff
grade of C or better. Reimbursement paperwork would have to be completed within 30 days of course completion as well as submitted to human resources. Mitchell said the district will give priority to math, English, bilingual education and special education higher education pursuits among its staff. Board trustee Miguel Arredondo asked whether the amount of tuition reimbursement proposed was a particular standard or based on a study of potential need among district staff. “We looked at several different districts in the area to come up with these numbers, and to be honest our num- bers are a little higher,” Mitchell said, adding that in general, other districts that have a similar program cap payments at around $2,000.
BY ERIC WEILBACHER
SAN MARCOS CISD The board of trustees unanimously approved a program that would reimburse school district employees who seek certifications or advanced degrees at its Sept. 19 meeting. Dale Mitchell, San Marcos CISD chief human resource officer, said the plan calls for $1,000 a semester and up to $3,000 a year for employees who opt into the program. The plan does come with stipulations, such as enrollment at a minimum of six credit hours per semester and earning a
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SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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