Education
BY GABBY BAILEY, MARK FADDEN & COLBY FARR
GCISD lists legislative priorities for 2025 Increases to public school funding and state accountability reform are among Grapevine-Col- leyville ISD’s legislative priorities heading into Texas’ 89th legislative session. In a nutshell On Nov. 18, the district’s board of trustees voted 6-1 to approve a list of priorities before the next legislative session Jan. 15. Board member Dalia Begin provided the dissenting vote. The district’s priorities are aligned with the Texas School Coalition, which represents districts like GCISD that must share its local property tax revenue with the state, Superintendent Brad Schnautz said. “We’d like to band together and just really trade best practices,” he said. “Right now, we’re all dealing with a similar issue, and it’s the lack of
Business academy seeks donations Carroll Business Academy is asking for donations and sponsorships from the community to help fund its programs. The details According to Carroll ISD’s website, dona- tions and sponsorships directly fund the academy, which helps students aspiring to become business leaders and entrepreneurs. The backstory The Carroll Business Academy began in the 2024-25 school year. Business leaders and industry experts are encouraged to volunteer in three areas: • Mentors • Guest speakers/coaches • Pitch event board of advisers
Breaking down GCISD legislative priorities Increase public school funding Fully fund state mandates
Fund student allotments based on costs Improve teacher recruitment and retention Reform state accountability system
SOURCE: GCISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
school funding.” What they’re saying
Begin said she would have liked to see a priority about keeping public dollars in public schools. While school voucher legislation hasn’t passed, Begin said she thinks it will. “When you think about additional property tax relief measures that are coming down, which is great, but also the call to increase public funding and then the potential for vouchers to pass, I am not as bullish on the increased funding,” she said.
Westlake Academy receives approval to amend intent to return, class size policies Westlake Town Council approved amendments on Dec. 9 to Westlake Academy’s intent to return and class size policies for the 2025-26 school year. Breaking it down School officials asked to eliminate the online intent-to-return form for K-8th grade, which asks if students are returning the following year. Darcy McFarlane, director of accountability at Westlake Academy, said the form is confusing and seems like an enrollment application. What else? Officials increased the number of students per teacher from 25, though not all class sizes will increase, Head of School Kelly Ritchie said. Ritchie asked for the updated amendment so students can have more flexible schedules. Westlake Academy class size adjustments An increase to 28 students per class for core courses for middle and high school An increase to 30 students per class for non-core courses for middle and high school
SOURCE: WESTLAKE ACADEMY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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