SCHOOL FINANCE BILL MOVES TO TEXAS HOUSE MINUS MERIT PAY PROVISION
A bill calling for $9 billion over the next two years for schools in Texas has moved to the state House.
House Bill 3, filed by Rep. Dan Huberty of Houston, was approved unanimously Tuesday by the House Committee on Public Education. The bill would spend $6 billion for increased funding to low-income students, and updates to the school finance formula. In addition, another $3 billion would drop property tax rates for many school districts by at least 4 cents per $100 valuation.
The bill was revised after a public hearing last week, removing a provision which would have given teachers extra pay if they performed better. Teachers groups expressed concerns on how teacher performance would be evaluated, with many worrying it would be based on how well students did on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Test.
The bill was also changed so that the Texas Education Agency would have less authority in making certain school finance decisions.
Among other things, HB 3 would give districts more funding to pay teachers who work in areas with a shortage of teachers, at rural campuses, or at “high needs” campuses. The bill also looks to establish funding for dyslexic students, increase funds for dual language programs, expands career and technology funding to the sixth and seventh grades, and provides funds for full-day prekindergarten.
Numerous members of the House have already indicated their approval of the bill. It does not include a teacher pay raise across the board, with House officials saying that decision should be left to the school districts. The Senate has already unanimously passed a bill dedicating $3.9 billion toward $5,000 raises for full-time classroom teachers and librarians.
Teachers read the headlines and think the Senate bill will give every teacher an immediate $5,000 per year pay raise. Not. If they will look up the details and can get thru the complicated language of the bill, they will soon learn this is not the case. The average may be $2,000. And please note they may give with one hand and take with the other by reducing benefits. Life is always in the details.
The Senate Bill 3 hearing is online and clearly explains it is a constant exact $5000 from the state treasury sent directly to any classroom teacher or librarian. Permanently funded. No way that school administrators can touch it. Thank you Texas Senate!
Please pass SB 3 that guarantees a $5000 raise to all teachers and librarians, paid directly from the state and is permanently funded from state without the administrations of school districts being involved to find other uses for the money.
I agree 100 %.
What a joke! Don’t let this 4% rate reduction fool you! The appraisal value increases will more than make up for any rate reduction. This is all a game that politicians play all too well and unfortunately too many fall for it. They can get on the campaign trail and brag about cutting taxes while the Chief Appraisers- political appointees- raise the values to more than make up for it.
Agreed Franklin! Just like the lotto and rainy day finds would got to funding out schools! Fix the property tax/school funding now Texas Senate and House!