SENATOR KOLKHORST TO HOST SCHOOL BOARD ROUNDTABLE SERIES
Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst has invited school board trustees from across Senate District 18 to participate in a series of round tables about public education in Texas, to be held on Monday, November 16th in El Campo.
The meetings will be held in different areas of the district with hopes that there will be wide participation of the 70 school districts that range in size from Katy ISD, one of the state's largest to Woodsboro ISD, one of the state's smallest.
"I often meet across the district with superintendents and other employees of districts," said Kolkhorst. "The idea to meet exclusively with trustees came from a trustee. Our school board members are elected and are the voice from the people for the public school system. I'm very excited to begin this series and to exchange ideas that can only lead to improvements."
As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Kolkhorst oversaw the crafting of the state's 2016-2017 biennial budget which prioritized public education, putting $1.5 billion in new funding to the Foundation School Program over current law. In 2016, at least 70% of school districts will receive more funding than they did in 2011.
"One of the hardest elected positions is that of being a school trustee. I have a deep respect for the time they spend to improve the lives of our children and my hope is that we can work together to be better prepared for the 85th Legislature," said Kolkhorst. "Every school district is different and we encourage that independence in Texas. It is my hope to hear from the trustees about what is working and what is not."