Formula Transition Grant Prevents Funding Losses
The House Bill 3 school finance legislation passed in 2019 invested billions of new dollars in public education, but the new law’s changes to funding formulas left some districts with less funding. The Legislature put Formula Transition Grants in place to ensure districts received a minimum increase. FTGs make the law adopted in 2019 better than the law we had before; without it (or with it at a reduced amount), that isn’t the case.
Extending 313 Agreements: Good for Schools, Good for the Economy, Good for Texas
HB 1556 and HB 4242 would extend Chapter 313 agreements, tax incentive that has attracted significant investment to the state — and to the state’s school districts.
What schools need to know about ESSER 3
On April 28, 2021, state leaders announced that the entirety of the $11.2 billion from the LEA allocation under ESSER III would flow to Texas schools. This post is intended to focus specifically on what district leaders need to know about the ESSER III allocation for school districts.
Statement on release of federal funds to schools
Statement from Christy Rome, Executive Director of the Texas School Coalition, concerning federal education funding.
Fund Balances Help School Districts Manage Resources
In simple terms, fund balance is the difference between assets and liabilities in a governmental fund as of the close of the fiscal year. School districts use their fund balances to responsibly manage cash flow — especially in districts that pay recapture and cannot lean on regular state funding.
Federal Relief Funds: Schools Left Waiting as Texas Stalls
Rather than trying to determine how to distribute federal dollars to the schools that need them, Texas is trying to withhold them. Some 40 states have started distributing dollars to their schools, but Texas has not.
Texas legislators must allow federal money to flow to schools
An opinion editorial co-authored by Justin Henry, President of the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees and Tammy Richards, President of the Plano ISD Board of Trustees
Chapter 313 Agreements & Partnerships
Background: Chapter 313 of the Tax Code allows a school district to offer a temporary 10-year limit on the taxable value of a new investment project for qualifying manufacturing and renewable energy projects. The limitation applies to the M&O taxes levied for school district operations. Chapter 313 agreements have proven to be a valuable tool […]
Summer & Fall 2020 Member Communication Archive
Member Communications December Update – December 7, 2020 The Pre-Thanksgiving Update – November 20, 2020 See You the Afternoon! – November 11, 2020 Phelan to be next House Speaker and other election returns – November 4, 2020 Uncertain times – October 30, 2020 Let’s talk about surveys – October 7, 2020 TEA announces extension of […]
Preserve local control and flexibility
Locally elected school boards should have the flexibility to make decisions that are best for their communities’ unique needs.
