Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD supports House Bill 21 to increase funding for all schools and lower Recapture payments

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The Houston Independent School District supports House Bill 21, which passed the Texas House of Representatives April 21 and would lower HISD’s Recapture obligation by providing approximately $40 million in additional resources for the 2018-19 biennium.

Houston voters go to the polls on May 6 to decide how to pay this year’s Recapture obligation of $77.5 million. Proposition 1 asks voters whether they want to “purchase attendance credits.” A vote for means HISD will write a check to the state, while a vote against would result in the state’s detachment and reassignment of the district’s most valuable commercial property. Early voting began April 24, 2017, and ends May 2, 2017.

House Bill 21 is expected to increase the basic allotment for all schools to $5,350, which also reduces payments for all Texas schools currently in Recapture. The bill also invests in English-language learners and students with dyslexia. The bill will now go to the Texas Senate.

“I’m pleased the House of Representatives is making an effort to fix an outdated school finance system,” said HISD Board President Wanda Adams. “HB 21 is a step in the right direction for public education and will help provide our students with the resources they need. On behalf of the Board, I’d like to thank Speaker Straus, Chairman Huberty, Chairman Zerwas, Chairman Ashby, Chairwoman Senfronia Thompson, and the members of HISD’s House delegation for their hard work and support.”

HISD voters first voted on Recapture, or Proposition 1, in November 2016. Since that vote, action by the Texas Education Agency and other factors have lowered HISD’s Recapture obligation from $162 million to $77.5 million. In response, the HISD Board of Education voted to call the May 6 election, giving voters another opportunity to decide how HISD will pay its Recapture obligation.

The Recapture process requires “property wealthy” districts that exceed a wealth per student set by the Texas Legislature to send a portion of their local property taxes to the state. Recapture is part of the state’s school finance system and is more commonly known Robin Hood.

The district created a website with information on Recapture and detachment at HoustonISD.org/Recapture.

 

Education bills moving in the House

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The 85th is a slow-moving session. So far, the following education-related bills have passed the full House.

  • HB 9 (Capriglione): Relating to cybercrime; creating criminal offenses.
  • HB 21 (Huberty): Relating to the public school finance system. HB 21 increases the basic allotment to all schools, includes the transportation allotment and adds a new weight for dyslexic students. If passed by both chambers, HB 21 adds $1.5 billion to the public schools in the 2018-19 biennium.  HISD and many other school groups supported HB 21 in committee.
  • HB 122 (Dutton): Relating to the age of criminal responsibility and to certain substantive and procedural matters related to that age. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • HB 223 (Howard): Relating to use of compensatory education allotment funding to provide assistance to students at risk of dropping out of school who are pregnant or who are parents.
  • HB 264 (Hernandez): Relating to public outreach materials to foster awareness of certain public school curriculum requirements.
  • HB 354 (Raney): Relating to the process for establishing speed limits on roads near certain schools. The bill was revised before it passed the committee. It will be on the House floor on April 21.
  • HB 357 (Huberty): Relating to the eligibility of the children of certain first responders for free prekindergarten programs in public schools.
  • HB 367 (Bernal): Relating to the authority of a school district to donate food to a nonprofit organization to be served to students of the district. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • HB 657 (Bernal): Relating to procedures for a student enrolled in a special education program who fails to perform satisfactorily on certain assessment instruments. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • HB 728 (Guerra): Relating to the establishment by the commissioner of education of an advanced computer science program for high school students. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • HB 755 (Parker): Relating to the use by certain tax-exempt organizations of certain payments made in connection with real property transfers to provide educational activities through certain schools. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • HB 789 (Meyer): Relating to minimum scores required for students in certain school districts to pass an examination for acceleration or for credit.
  • HB 878 (King, K.): Relating to the extension and modification of a public school district depository contract.
  • HB 1270 (Smithee): Relating to excused absences from public school for the purpose of visiting a military recruitment center.
  • HB 1469 (Bailes): Relating to qualifications for certain teachers employed by certain open-enrollment charter schools. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • HB 1593 (Bohac): Relating to the engagement strategies included in a school district’s family engagement plan.
  • HB 1669 (King, T.): Relating to appeals and complaints arising from school laws brought by parents and public school students; authorizing the award of attorney’s fees.
  • HB 1731 (King, K.): Relating to the inclusion of students receiving treatment in a residential facility in the determination of dropout rates for purposes of public school accountability.
  • HB 2263 (Gooden): Relating to continued monitoring of certain public school campuses that have been assigned a campus intervention team.
  • HB 2611 (VanDeaver): Relating to broker agreements for the sale of real property by school districts.
  • HB 2729 (Lucio III): Relating to an inventory of credentials and certificates that may be earned by a public high school student through a career and technology education program.
  • HB 3075 (Huberty): Relating to excluding certain students from the computation of dropout and completion rates for purposes of public school accountability.
  • HB 3107 (Ashby): Relating to the production of public information under the public information law.
  • HB 3563 (Koop): Relating to parental notification regarding public school teacher qualifications. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • HB 3722 (King, K.): Relating to funding adjustments for school districts that annex unacceptable school districts.

Of note, the House moved their version of the “bathroom bill” in April. The bill was heard in the House State Affairs Committee on April 19. The bill number is HB 2899 by Rep. Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton). The Governor is reportedly supportive of the bill. HISD opposed the bill during the hearing.

The House Public Education Committee held four public hearings during the month of March and five during the month of April to consider bills related to public education.  Representative Dan Huberty (R-Humble) chairs the House Public Education Committee.  This is Chairman Huberty’s first session as chair of the Committee.

A total of 440 bills were referred to the House Public Education Committee.  To date, the Committee has voted out over 70 bills, including certain bills related to school districts:

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Education bills moving in the Senate

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The Senate Education Committee held four public hearings during the month of March and seven in April to consider bills related to public education.  Senator Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) chairs the Senate Education Committee.  This is Chairman Taylor’s second session as chair of the Committee.

A total of 238 bills were referred to the Senate Education Committee. More than 40 bills have passed the Senate Education Committee. Some of those bills are:

  • SB 195 (Garcia): Relating to funding under the transportation allotment for public school students subject to a high risk of violence while walking to school. This is also known as the “safe passage bill.” The bill was revised before it passed the committee. The committee voted it out on the same day it was heard in honor of Josue Flores, who lost his life while walking home from school in Houston’s Near Northside.
  • SB 196 (Garcia): Relating to a notification requirement if a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, does not have a nurse, school counselor, or librarian assigned to the school during all instructional hours.
  • SB 457 (Campbell): Relating to funding for an open-enrollment charter school based on the guaranteed level of state and local funds provided to school districts through the existing debt allotment. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • SB 463 (Seliger): Relating to the use of individual graduation committees to satisfy certain public high school graduation requirements. SB 463 makes individual graduation committees permanent for students who fail to pass no more than 2 STAAR end-of-course exams. HISD and many other school groups supported the bill in committee. The bill is scheduled for consideration on the Senate floor.
  • SB 529 (Lucio): Relating to improving training and staff development for primary and secondary educators to enable them to more effectively serve all students.
  • SB 610 (Huffines): Relating to the state virtual school network.
  • SB 653 (Taylor, V.): Relating to the eligibility of certain employees or annuitants convicted of certain felony offenses. The bill will be heard on the Senate floor during the week of May 1.
  • SB 754 (Perry): Relating to the extension and modification of a public school district depository contract.
  • SB 801 (Seliger): Relating to the instructional material list and supplemental instructional materials adopted by the State Board of Education.
  • SB 825 (Taylor, L.): Relating to school district discretion to administer college preparation assessment instruments to public school students at state cost.
  • SB 1005 (Campbell): Relating to the use of the SAT or the ACT as a secondary exit-level assessment instrument to allow certain public school students to receive a high school diploma.
  • SB 1122 (Huffines): Relating to abolishing certain county boards of education, boards of county school trustees, and offices of county school superintendent. The bill was revised before it passed the committee. The bill is scheduled to be on the Senate floor during the week of May 1.
  • SB 1153 (Menendez): Relating to parental rights and information regarding certain intervention strategies used with public school students.
  • SB 1220 (Miles): Relating to ensuring continuity of education and access to higher education, career information, and skills certification for foster care youth and former foster care youth.
  • SB 1267 (Taylor, L.): Relating to school district ad valorem tax rates.
  • SB 1278 (Taylor, L.): Relating to educator preparation programs.
  • SB 1317 (Uresti): Relating to the earliest day a school district may require a teacher to report for service and information regarding required teacher attendance on non-instructional days. The bill was revised before it passed the committee. It’s been sent to the Senate floor.
  • SB 1318 (Taylor, V.): Relating to designation of mathematics innovation zones by the commissioner of education and to the establishment of pay for success programs to provide necessary funding.
  • SB 1353 (Taylor, L.), like HB 3106 (Faircloth): Relating to state financial assistance for a school district to which an academically unacceptable school district is annexed.
  • SB 1398 (Lucio): Relating to the placement and use of video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms or other settings providing special education services. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • SB 1404 (Hughes): Relating to requiring school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to report certain information regarding voluntary after-school programs and voluntary summer programs. It’s been sent to the Senate floor.
  • SB 1480 (Hughes): Relating to the guarantee of charter district bonds by the permanent school fund. The bill was revised before it passed the committee. It’s been sent to the Senate floor.
  • SB 1481 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the instructional materials and technology allotment, open education resource instructional materials, and the State Board of Education long-range technology plan.
  • SB 1659 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the commissioner of education accepting contributions for the public school system, adopting rules regarding grant compliance, and establishing grants for high-quality educational programs.
  • SB 1839 (Hughes): Relating to the preparation, certification, and classification of public school educators.
  • SB 1854 (Uresti): Relating to requiring the review of public school district paperwork to limit paperwork requirements. It’s been sent to the Senate floor.
  • SB 1882 (Menéndez): Relating to a school district contract to partner with an open-enrollment charter school to operate a district campus. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.
  • SB 1883 (Campbell): Relating to the approval of open-enrollment charter schools and the review of challenges by open-enrollment charter schools or school districts to accountability determinations.
  • SB 1886 (Bettencourt): Relating to the creation of the office of inspector general at the Texas Education Agency to investigate the administration of public education.
  • SB 2039 (Zaffirini): Relating to the development of a program and training for public schools on the prevention of sexual abuse and sex trafficking and participation by the human trafficking prevention task force in that development.
  • SB 2142 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the repeal of the high school allotment under the Foundation School Program.
  • SB 2143 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the basic allotment under the foundation school program.
  • SB 2144 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the creation of a commission to recommend improvements to the public school finance system.
  • SB 2188 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the average daily attendance calculation for students over 18 years of age who are in an off home campus instructional arrangement.
  • SB 2270 (Lucio): Relating to expansion of a pilot program under the foundation school program for funding prekindergarten programs provided by certain school districts with early high school graduation programs. The bill was revised before it passed the committee.

On April 18, the Senate Education Committee held a public hearing on school finance bills. Of note, Chairman Taylor laid out his school finance bill, SB 2145, which does not increase funds for public education, but favors property poor and rural schools. The committee held hearings on April 20, April 25 and April 27 to close out the month.

One bill of note that passed the committee is SB 1398 by Sen. Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville), which cleans up legislation that passed in 2015 that requires video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms or other settings providing special education services. HISD is working with the bill authors. The bill has been revised.

Several of the Senate bills heard in the Education Committee have passed the full Senate.  Those bills are:

  • SB 3 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the establishment of an education savings account program and a tax credit scholarship and educational expense assistance program. SB 3 is also known as the “voucher” or “school choice” bill.
  • SB 7 (Bettencourt): Relating to improper relationships between educators and students; creating a criminal offense and expanding the applicability of an existing offense. The bill passed the House Public Education Committee and is on its way to the House floor.
  • SB 22 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the establishment of a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program and to the repeal of the tech-prep program. The bill will be heard in the House Public Education Committee on April 25.
  • SB 490 (Lucio): Relating to information regarding the number of school counselors in public schools.
  • SB 579 (Taylor, V.): Relating to the use of epinephrine auto-injectors on private school campuses and at or in transit to or from off-campus school events.
  • SB 640 (Taylor, V.): Relating to equal opportunity for access by home-schooled students to University Interscholastic League sponsored activities; authorizing a fee. HISD opposed the bill.
  • SB 826 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the sequencing of required English language arts courses and mathematics courses in schools.
  • SB 1166 (Bettencourt): Relating to providing for the review of certain county departments of education by the Sunset Advisory Commission. This bill applies to the Harris County Department of Education.
  • SB 1483 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the creation of the Technology Lending Program to provide grants to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools.
  • SB 1566 (Kolkhorst): Relating to certain powers and duties of the board of trustees of an independent school district and the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school.
  • SB 1634 (Taylor, L.): Relating to a reduction in required days of service for educators in public schools under certain circumstances.
  • SB 1658 (Taylor, L.): Relating to the ownership, sale, lease, and disposition of property and management of assets of an open-enrollment charter school.
  • SB 1784 (Taylor, L.): Relating to state-developed open education resources for public schools.
  • SB 1837 (Hughes): Relating to the application of the financial accountability system for open enrollment charter schools to the charter school of a public senior college or university.
  • SB 2080 (Taylor, L.): Relating to a requirement that school districts and open-enrollment charter schools report certain information regarding children with disabilities who reside in residential facilities.
  • SB 2131 (West): Relating to requirements for providing postsecondary education counseling to high school students.

The Senate State Affairs Committee also held public hearings on legislation related to public schools. Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston) chair State Affairs.  This is her second session chairing the Committee. Four bills heard in State Affairs passed the full Senate.  Those bills are:

  • SB 4 (Perry): Relating to the enforcement by certain state and local governmental entities and campus police departments of state and federal laws governing immigration and to related duties of certain law enforcement and judicial entities in the criminal justice system; providing civil and criminal penalties. SB 4 is also known as the bill that “bans sanctuary cities.” An amended version of this bill passed the House on April 27 and is now on its way to the Governor.
  • SB 6 (Kolkhorst): Relating to regulations and policies for entering or using a bathroom or changing facility; authorizing a civil penalty. SB 6 is also referred to as the “bathroom bill.”
  • SB 13 (Huffman): Relating to payroll deductions for state and local government employee organizations.
  • SB 14 (Taylor, V.): Relating to the ethics of public officers and related requirements; creating criminal offenses.

The Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee discussed legislation, as well. Senator Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville) chairs the Committee.  Four major bills vetted by this committee have passed the full Senate. These bills are also known as the “ballot” bills because their goal is to make school districts more transparent when holding bond elections. There are also bills out there requiring school districts to hold all elections in November only. Here are the elections related bills that have passed the full Senate:

  • SB 460 (Lucio): Relating to general obligation bonds issued by political subdivisions.
  • SB 461 (Lucio): Relating to the notice required before the issuance of certain debt obligations by political subdivisions.
  • SB 467 (Lucio): Relating to a requirement for ballot propositions.
  • SB 488 (Lucio): Relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions.

Other Senate committees held hearings.  The Senate Finance, Higher Education, Transportation and Criminal Justice Committees passed the following bills that were later approved by the full Senate:

  • SB 2 (Bettencourt): Relating to ad valorem taxation.
  • SB 17 (Nelson): Relating to the decrease of the rates of the franchise tax under certain circumstances and the expiration of that tax.
  • SB 30 (West): Relating to inclusion of instruction regarding interaction with peace officers in the required curriculum for certain public school students and in driver education courses and to civilian interaction training for peace officers.
  • SB 693 (Garcia): Relating to three-point seat belts on buses that transport schoolchildren.
  • SB 1091 (Seliger): Relating to limitations on courses that may be offered for dual credit by school districts and public institutions of higher education.

 

 

Budget negotiations underway as state lawmakers look for agreement

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Both chambers made progress on their versions of the budget during the months of March and April.  The only issue is both chambers still remain far apart on how they’d like to appropriate funds for the 2018-19 biennium.

On March 28, the Senate voted unanimously in favor of their budget proposal, Senate Bill 1. Here are some key elements of the Senate’s version of SB 1:

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HISD voters to decide how to pay Recapture obligation to state

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HISD voters will be asked on May 6 to decide how the district will pay its Recapture obligation to the state of Texas.

Voters will choose between two options—purchase attendance credits from the state or have commercial property detached. A vote against purchasing attendance credits means that the district permanently will lose tax collections for certain commercial properties. A vote for purchasing attendance credits means that HISD will write a check to the state for local property taxes and continue to make annual recapture payments as long as property wealth grows.

HISD seeks financial relief as state lawmakers meet in Austin

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HISD’s Board and Superintendent have been in Austin on a regular basis since the session began in January, proposing solutions to state lawmakers that would provide financial relief to HISD and school districts statewide. The ultimate goal is for the Legislature to reform the state’s school finance system, but no progress is expected this session because of the cost and complexity of such reforms.

In the meantime, HISD’s Government Relations team will continue to push legislation that improves HISD’s Recapture situation for the next two years or until the Legislature meets again in 2019.

The district supports a number of bills that would help lower HISD’s Recapture obligation or return property that gets detached should Proposition 1 fail. The following bills have moved or had public hearings:

  • HB 21 by Rep. Dan Huberty: reduces recapture payments for ISDs statewide, increases the basic allotment, contains the transportation allotment and creates a new weight for dyslexic students. HISD and other school groups supported the bill in committee and the bill is a priority of Speaker Straus. The bill passed the House on April 20.
  • HB 1059 by Rep. Jim Murphy and SB 1247 by Sen. Joan Huffman: trigger a reattachment process for detached properties, which is currently missing from the statute.  HISD and Houston’s business community supported HB 1059 in committee and the bill was left pending. SB 1247 has not had a public hearing yet.
  • HB 3795 by Rep. Harold Dutton: allows recapture-paying districts to count charter school students zoned to their district in recapture calculations, which lowers recapture payments also. HISD expressed appreciation to Representative Dutton for starting the conversation around the impact of charter schools on school districts. The bill was recently heard in committee and was left pending.

The remaining bills are supported by the District, but have not moved yet in the legislative process:

  • HB 1037 (Capriglione) and SB 358 (Watson): allow recapture-paying school districts like HISD to receive their transportation allotment from the state. One could argue these bills are part of HB 21.
  • HB 1324 (S. Thompson): recognizes half of the local homestead exemption in school finance formulas and removes a financial penalty for school districts. It lowers recapture, as well.
  • HB 1326 (S. Thompson): counts students enrolled in full-day Pre-K in a school district’s recapture calculations only and thus lowers recapture payments.
  • HB 1838 (Meyer): institutes a recapture limit tied to inflation.
  • HB 3375 (S. Thompson): ties new local property value growth to the equalized wealth level, which is a good thing for schools. This bill was adopted as a floor amendment to HB 21, which is a win for HISD and other districts in recapture.

Educational Equity
The District believes one of the best ways to improve equity among students is to educate students in a 21st Century learning environment, equipped with latest technology and broadband access.  All students need access to the most current digital resources and the Internet both at home and at school.  Such resources are essential for students to feel prepared for post-secondary opportunities and life-long careers.

A major area of alignment between the House, Senate and the Governor is the need to invest in digital learning opportunities for public school students.  As a result, the proposed state budget invests $25 the million in the E-Rate program, so that schools throughout the state will have stronger Internet access. This $25 million investment triggers a federal match of $250 million to the State of Texas.  HISD worked with the state during the months before the legislative session to make sure funds were set aside for digital learning and broadband access.

Local Control & Governance
Many bills have been filed this session related to local control and school board governance.  HISD’s goal this session is to make sure the District and the Board of Education have flexibility to innovate and make decisions that are best for the Houston community and its students.  Governance and student outcomes are priorities of school boards. Sometimes it is unintentional, but state proposed legislation should not jeopardize local control.   To date, specific bills related to bathroom usage (SB 6 and HB 2899), sanctuary cities (SB 4), taxation (SB 2 and HB 15), school board governance (HB 1150, HB 1152 and SB 1566), and school bond elections (SB 460 and SB 461) are some of the bills school groups are closely watching.

Straus and Texas House Members get to work

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On Feb. 9, Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, announced the House committee assignments for the 85th Legislative Session – a signal that the work of the Legislature can officially begin.

“We want to utilize Members’ strengths and allow them to work on issues that matter to their districts,” said Speaker Straus in his press release.

A good number of the House chairmanships this session are representatives of the greater Houston area. The Speaker added, “These assignments reflect the diversity of the Texas House.”

Key House chairmanships to be aware of are:

  • House Public Education Committee
    Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Humble, CHAIR*
  • House Appropriations Committee
    Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, CHAIR*
  • House Local and Consent Calendars Committee
    Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, CHAIR
  • House Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee
    Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, CHAIR
  • House County Affairs Committee
    Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, CHAIR
  • House Special Purpose Districts Committee
    Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Houston, CHAIR
  • House General Investigating and Ethics
    Rep. Sarah Davis, R-Houston, CHAIR
  • House Urban Affairs Committee
    Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, CHAIR
  • House Ways & Means Committee
    Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, CHAIR*
  • House Government Transparency and Operation Committee
    Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, CHAIR*

*= Does not have any HISD schools in their district.

Bills related to public education are usually referred to the House Public Education Committee; however, it is important to pay close attention because some bills can and will be sent to other committees instead. The House Appropriations Committee decides issues related to school funding and the state’s budget. The committee rosters for House Public Education and House Appropriations are below. House members in HISD’s delegation are in bold and there is good representation for the greater Houston area on both committees.

House Public Education Committee:
Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Humble), Chair
Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), Vice Chair
Rep. Alma Allen (D-Houston)
Rep. Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont)
Rep. Harold Dutton (D-Houston)
Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Terrell)
Rep. Linda Koop (R-Dallas)
Rep. Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas)
Rep. Gary Vandeaver (R-New Boston)
Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian)
Rep. Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston)

The House Public Committee held its first public hearing on Feb. 21.  The full committee heard an update from the Texas Education Agency on their legislative requests this session, along with a report from the Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability. To read the hearing summary, please click here. The House Public Education Subcommittee on Educator Quality was appointed on Feb. 21. The members of the subcommittee are Representatives Ken King (Chair), Alma Allen (Vice Chair), Harold Dutton, Gary VanDeaver and Morgan Meyer.

The Feb. 28 and March 7 House Public Education Committee hearings are on school finance.  The week of March 13, House Public Education will discuss accountability and the A-F rating system.

House Appropriations Committee:
Rep. John Zerwas (R-Richmond), Chair
Rep. Oscar Longoria (D-Mission), Vice Chair
Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin)
Rep. Sarah Davis (R-Houston)
Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin)
Rep. Helen Giddings (D-Dallas)
Rep. Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock)
Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin)
Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr. (D-Palmview)
Rep. J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville)
Rep. Ron Simmons (R-Carrolton)
Rep. Armando Walle (D-Houston)
Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood)
Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)
Rep. Scott Cosper (R-Killeen)
Rep. Jay Dean (R-Wichita Falls)
Rep. Mary González (D-Clint)
Rep. Linda Koop (R-Dallas)
Rep. Rick Miller (R- Sugar Land)
Rep. Mary Ann Perez (D-Houston)
Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Port Neches)
Rep. John Raney (R-Bryan)
Rep. Kevin Roberts (R-Spring)
Rep. Justin Rodriguez (D-San Antonio)
Rep. Toni Rose (D-Dallas)
Rep. Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston)
Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston)

The members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III (education funding) are: Representatives Trent Ashby (Chair), Helen Giddings (Vice Chair) Donna Howard, Gary VanDeaver, John Raney, Linda Koop, and Mary González. The subcommittee held their first hearing on K-12 public education funding on Monday, Feb. 20. They heard testimony from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). For the subcommittee hearing summary and presentation, please click here.

The full Appropriations committee held their first hearing on public education funding on Wednesday, Feb. 15. They heard testimony from the Legislative Budget Board and the Texas Education Agency, as well.

HISD’s recapture was a topic of discussion at each of these hearings, including the House Public Education Committee hearing.

HISD trustees approve election after TEA reduces recapture payment

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The Houston Independent School District Board of Education voted  in February to call a May 6 election asking voters to authorize sending lower recapture payments to the state rather than face detachment of commercial property in July. The swift timing allows the district to follow the deadlines set by the state and Harris County.

Previously, HISD’s recapture obligation was estimated at $162 million. Under the Texas Education Agency’s recent announcement of recognizing half of the local homestead exemption, along with adjustments made to student enrollment and property value figures, HISD is now subject to a reduced $77.5 million recapture obligation or the removal of about $8 billion dollars’ worth of non-residential, commercial properties from HISD’s tax roll.

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HISD Board and Superintendent meet with key state officials

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Members of the HISD Board of Education and Superintendent Richard Carranza spent two full days in Austin, working with the state’s top leaders to address much-needed changes to Texas’ school finance system.

In late January, Board President Wanda Adams, Trustees Anna Eastman, Mike Lunceford, and Rhonda Skillern-Jones, and Superintendent Richard Carranza conducted a series of high-level meetings with key decision-makers in Austin, including HISD’s state senators and state representatives. 

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Lt. Gov. Patrick moves on priorities

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The first week of session, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, R-Texas, declared his desire to run for re-election, dispelling rumors of a possible run for Governor next year. Patrick was also successful in keeping the three-fifths rule created last session that allows Senate Republicans to decide which bills come to the floor.

Lt. Governor Patrick has 25 priorities this session, many of which relate to public education. Some of Patrick’s education related priorities include the budget (SB 1); school choice (SB 3); banning sanctuary cities (SB 4); the Texas Privacy Act known as the “bathroom bill” (SB 6); ending inappropriate student-teacher relationships (SB 7); and ending automatic payroll deductions for union dues (SB 13). Patrick also said the state will not repeal the A-F rating system for schools and districts, but they are open to modifications. The Lt. Governor will move his priority bills out the Senate chamber as quickly as possible. You can view Lt. Governor Patrick’s full list of priorities here.

The following education-related priority bills have moved in the Senate:

SB 1: the budget bill proposed by the Senate (Last Action: Under review in the Senate Finance Committee)

SB 4: a bill that bans sanctuary cities (Last Action: Passed the Senate)

SB 6: a bill related to regulations and policies for entering or using a public bathroom or changing facility by authorizing a civil penalty and increasing criminal penalties.  Such facilities can only be used by individuals of the same biological sex as identified on their birth certificates.  Also known as the “bathroom bill.” (Last Action: Scheduled for a public hearing on March 7)

SB 7: a bill to end inappropriate student-teacher relationships and impose stricter penalties on teachers. Principals and superintendents who fail to report such incidents in a timely manner would face criminal charges. (Last Action: Heard in the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 23 and voted out of committee on Feb. 28)

SB 13: a bill to end automatic payroll deductions for teacher union dues (Last Action: Passed out of the Senate State Affairs Committee)

SB 22: a bill to create the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program (Last Action: Heard in the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 23 and left pending)