Public schools took center stage at the Texas Tribune Festival on Friday, with one panel featuring school superintendents talking about the issues facing their districts and what the future holds for public education across the state.
The issues ranged from accountability to teacher retention, but the discussion always ended in the same place: “Fund Texas schools.”
A recent KXAN analysis found that 65% of Central Texas school districts have budget deficits between $62,000 and $119 million. This trend isn’t just limited to Central Texas, with Houston ISD struggling with a $211 million deficit and Dallas ISD seeing a $187 million shortfall. Fort Worth ISD faces a $17 million shortfall and El Paso ISD faces a $12 million shortfall.
These financial pressures are starting to have a visible impact across school districts, forcing them to make tough decisions like cutting school programs and laying off administrative staff. As Temple Independent School District Superintendent Bobby Ott grapples with these tough choices, he emphasizes the impact on students’ lives. “Have you ever heard a student say, ‘I can’t wait for math class?'” Ott said. “That’s not the right direction, but it’s what we have to do.”
During the fourth special session, lawmakers had the opportunity to approve a bill that would have allocated roughly $6 billion to public schools, but it did not move forward after Gov. Greg Abbott insisted on a connection to school voucher provisions.
Vouchers have become a contentious issue in the debate over public education, and superintendents are sharing their perspectives on the issue as the 89th Texas Legislature approaches and public education becomes increasingly politicized.
“We may once again be in a situation where we are using our public schools to meet the needs of others,” said Stephanie Elizalde, chancellor of the Dallas Independent School District.
Reflecting on her own experience, Ott said, “I never thought of school choice as a threat, at least at Temple, until it became the enemy of public education funding. If something is this certain, make it stand alone. Make it a standalone bill.”
Ott also said there’s a big difference between choice and accessibility, noting that many families in her district wouldn’t have the accessibility to take advantage of vouchers.
