Georgetown Edition | August 2023

AT THE CAPITOL

2023 EDUCATION EDITION

Texas Legislature approves school safety bills, shelves school funding increases

BY HANNAH NORTON

From January to May, lawmakers battled about the best ways to fund public schools and provide raises for teachers. Sweeping school funding legislation died during the nal days of the 88th regular session, although lawmakers are expected to return this fall to continue the discussion.

Senate Bill 838 Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe

Senate Bill 10 Sen. Joan Human, R-Houston

Senate Bill 763 Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston School districts can hire or allow

BILLS THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT Senate Bill 9 Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe The bill would have improved teacher retention by providing bonuses, creating a teacher residency program and helping schools rehire retired teachers.

Retired teachers age 75 and older will receive a one-time $7,500 check, and retirees ages 70-74 will get a $2,400 check. Teachers who retired before 2001 will get a 6% cost-of-living adjustment, and those who retired between 2001-13 will get 4%. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1; cost-of- living adjustment takes eect Jan. 1 if approved by voters in November

By the 2025-26 school year, all public and charter school classrooms must have silent panic alert devices. The electronic devices, which can be activated manually or through an app, are used to immediately alert district ocials and law enforcement of an active shooter or other issue, such as a medical emergency. Status: Became law May 5

volunteer chaplains to perform the duties of school counselors. They can provide mental and behavioral health services, and other support to K-12 students. Unlike traditional counselors, chaplains are not required to hold a State Board for Educator Certication. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1 House Bill 900 Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco Schools will not be allowed to purchase or display books deemed “sexually explicit” or “educationally unsuitable.” The bill establishes a new rating system for books and other educational materials. Book vendors must rate all their content, and libraries will review their materials every odd-numbered year. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1

House Bill 100 Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian

House Bill 3 Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock

House Bill 1883 Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-Euless

The bill would have raised minimum salaries for public school employees, boosted funding schools receive from the state and increased money for certain programs. Lawmakers are expected to return to Austin for a third special legislative session in October. They will likely discuss teacher pay raises, school funding and school choice.

All public and open-enrollment charter schools must have at least one armed security ocer—such as a law enforcement ocer, school marshal or teacher licensed to carry a handgun—on campus during regular school hours. Each district will receive $15,000 per campus and $10 per student for school safety initiatives. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1

Schools must provide alternative assessment dates for any tests scheduled on religious holy days or periods of observance. This includes any holy days observed by religions whose places of worship are exempt from property taxes in Texas, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism,

Buddhism, Sikhism and more. Status: Became law June 18

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GEORGETOWN EDITION • AUGUST 2023