Tomball - Magnolia Edition | August 2025

BY JULIANNA WASHBURN CONTRIBUTIONS BY ANGELA BONILLA

Breaking it down

What they’re saying

What comes next

Wrapped up in the HB 2 special education funding is $1,000 set aside for each child’s initial special education evaluation, according to the TEA. The state funding given will also be based on the intensity of the service a child needs. In a December 2022 report, the Texas Commis- sion on Special Education Funding said the new intensity-based funding model would “ežectively account for the unique, individualized needs of students with disabilities.” HB 2’s new special education funding framework Weighted funding model based on eight tiers of intensity Tiers of intensity include a range from homebound special education students to students receiving speech therapy To be implemented in the 2026-27 school year

TISD and MISD o˜cials said both districts will develop more speci™c plans for the funds closer to the 2026-27 school year but they continue to plan for the future. TISD o˜cials said the district’s $429.1 million bond passed in May will provide program funding for its students with disabilities aged 18-21. “We work closely with a demographer to plan for continued enrollment growth, which informs our sta˜ng and resource decisions,” MISD Chief Communications O˜cer Denise Meyers said in an email. Region 4 o˜cials declined to comment. Meanwhile, Region 6 Executive Director Michael Holland said the education service center will have internal training for its sta¢ to help understand HB 2’s changes.

“The funding is really exciting because I’m hoping that we’re able to open more structured

learning lab rooms across the district.” CHRISTINA WEBB, TOMBALL ISD STRUCTURED LEARNING LAB TEACHER

“The increase in teacher pay ... will also assist ... in the recruitment and retention of quality sta.”

MICHAEL HOLLAND, REGION 6 EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS EDUCATION CODECOMMUNITY IMPACT

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TOMBALL MAGNOLIA EDITION

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