Cy-Fair Edition | May 2021

AT THE CAPITOL Cy-Fair ISD calls on state leaders to release federal funding for pandemic expenses

Public education advocates across the state are asking the Texas Legislature to support public schools’ pandemic recovery through three different revenue sources. Approved funding Awaiting approval SUPPORTING SCHOOLS

BY DANICA LLOYD

funding. Public education advocacy nonprofit Raise Your Hand Texas estimates CFISD would receive nearly $265 million across all three rounds of ESSER funding, and their research shows more than 40 states have at least started flowing second-round funding to their school districts. “These are our taxpayer dollars that are sup- posed to help schools pay for the extensive costs of dealing with the pandemic and to address the learning needs of our kids,” Hinaman said. “While the vast majority of other states in the U.S. have already distributed these federal stimulus funds to schools, Texas has not.” CFISD Chief Financial Officer Karen Smith said the school district has received about $700,000 in addi-

As Cy-Fair ISD officials finalize plans for the 2021- 22 school year, state leaders are holding on to $17.9 billion in federal stimulus funds intended for public schools to address the effects of the pandemic. In an April 14 presentation to the State Board of Education, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath promised federal funding is on the way to school districts but was unable to say when or how much they would receive. “The legislative leadership is actually very inter- ested in making sure that all districts are made whole in their COVID expenses,” Morath said. Texas was allotted $1.3 billion in the first round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency

HOUSE BILL 3 Preserving the increased funding commitments laid out in 2019’s school finance reform legislation

HOLD HARMLESS Guaranteeing public schools receive the level of state revenue based on anticipated 2020-21 enrollment despite attendance declines

FEDERAL STIMULUS Ensuring school districts receive their share of federal stimulus funding intended for them

SOURCE: RAISE YOUR HAND TEXAS/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

Relief Fund, which Morath said was used to fund the hold-harmless guarantee, ensur- ing districts received funding based on projected enrollment despite attendance declines. Another $5.5 billion and $12.4 billion, respectively, from the second and third rounds of

tional funds since the start of the pandemic despite applying for more financial assistance. According to CFISD, the district has incurred nearly $227 million in unexpected pandemic-related expenses that could be covered through the stimulus money, from personal protective equipment to additional tutoring and accelerated learning programs designed to remedy pandem-

Cy-Fair ISD estimates nearly $227 million in unexpected costs due to the pandemic—from sanitation supplies and technology needs to tutoring, intervention and accelerated learning programs. COVERING THE COSTS

“WHILE THE VAST MAJORITYOF OTHER STATES IN THE U.S. HAVE ALREADYDISTRIBUTED THESE FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS TO SCHOOLS,

Instruction: $94M Finance: $94M Infrastructure: $32M Technology: $7M

TEXAS HAS NOT.” JULIE HINAMAN, CY-FAIR ISD SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

ESSER funding was set aside for Texas public schools but had yet to be allocated as of press time. Morath said the Legislature is awaiting guidance from the federal government on certain conditions tied to the funding. According to the two most recent rounds of ESSER funding, states are required to maintain the same percentage of funding to support education allocated prior to the pandemic through fiscal year 2022-23. Morath said Texas faces a unique challenge here because House Bill 3 passed in 2019 infused a net $4.4 billion of new revenue year over year into school district budgets in FY 2019-20. CFISD board member Julie Hinaman called on Gov. Greg Abbott at the April 8 board meeting to ensure Texas public schools receive their federal

Total: $227M

ic-related learning loss. Morath said the state’s pre-existing achievement gap has grown amid the pandemic. In addition to high-quality tutoring and more rigorous instruc- tion, he said educators will be faced with the challenge of catching students up to grade level. “The job that a teacher has to do in order to pull this off is mind-numbingly difficult,” he said. Nikki Cowart, president of the Cy-Fair American Federation of Teachers, asked CFISD officials to consider employee compensation as they finalize the 2021-22 budget. She said she is concerned the demands of teaching during the pandemic will lead

SOURCE: CY-FAIR ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

to increased burnout and resignation rates. “One way that we can show our appreciation and respect is by offering a real pay raise, one that is not eaten up by health care premiums,” she said. “This year more than ever, we must respect, recognize, reinvest and retain our hardworking current employees.”

AMontessori Approach to Care

Montessori learning techniques have been proven to work brilliantly for people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The philosophy calls for a person-centered, education approach, which include empowering independence and hands-on activities.

Now offering $300 DEPOSIT $250 OFF Semi- Private $500 OFF Private $750 OFF Large Private

Units for 3 months

Sundance at Towne Lake | 9051 Greenhouse Road | Cypress, TX 77433 | (281)-746-3852 | www.sundancememorycare.com

CY-FAIR EDITION • MAY 2021