Education
BY DAVE MANNING
Katy ISD board asks state for more funding Due to the state Legislature failing to approve additional funding for Texas public schools in the special session, the Katy ISD board of trustees approved a resolution Dec. 11 asking for more funding—specifically for teacher salaries. The resolution states several bills were passed in the 88th legislative session without sufficient funding to implement the mandates. How we got here Despite the Senate’s Dec. 1 passage of Senate Bill 5 that would have provided $800 million in funding from the state to public school districts for school safety through 2025, the Texas House declined to consider the measure due to the inclu- sion of private school vouchers before the fourth special legislative session ended Dec. 6. Although a fifth session is still possible, many districts face a shortage of funding.
LCISD trustees OK new school names Lamar CISD trustees approved six names to be used for future school campuses during the Dec. 12 meeting, per a news release. The schools include elementary schools 35-38, Middle School No. 7 and an undesignated school. The schools will open in the next two school years. What’s in a name? The board’s list of namesakes is as follows: • Antonio “Tony” G. Becerra • Alice Deanne Sbrusch Fagert • James “Dick” Richard & Marinella Haygood • Alma Lemon Slawinski • Judge RH “Sandy” Bielstein • Kay Danziger
Unfunded mandates The state approved multiple bills in 2023 that require districts implement mandates without additional state funds. House Bill 3 : Requires the addition of armed personnel at each campus House Bill 1416: Requires schools to provide high-quality tutoring programs
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Long story short The final excerpt from the KISD board resolu- tion states KISD trustees support and encourage legislators to: • Support an increase in the basic allotment and establish a formula-driven index that allows the basic allotment to increase with inflation • Support an increase in school funding for teacher compensation • Address unfunded mandates placed on public schools
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KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION
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