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TASB 2010-12 Advocacy Agenda Priorities

As Amended October 1, 2011

TASB believes Texas public schools do more than educate students for tomorrow’s workforce; the role of Texas school districts is to prepare all students for success in life. TASB believes school districts most effectively and efficiently serve students when school boards have local control over resources to address student, staff and community needs.

TASB supports a simpler, sustainable school finance system that:

  • provides districts with adequate amounts of state and local funds to
      • prepare students to achieve rigorous academic goals,
      • cover annual enrollment growth and rising operating costs, and
      • fund state and federal mandates;
  • gives school boards access to more golden pennies and additional taxing authority without voter approval;
  • provides formula-funding that closes the equity gap among districts as soon as possible; and
  • attributes statewide property value growth back to the school finance system.

TASB supports state funding that includes, but is not limited to:

  • career and technology (CTE) courses, beginning in middle school, that allow students to meet the state’s graduation requirements;
  • free prekindergarten programs for either a full-day or for more student groups, at local district option;
  • curricular interventions and programs to help at-risk students; and
  • construction and renovation of public school district facilities to meet the state’s growing student population.

TASB opposes the diversion of taxpayer dollars to private schools, including vouchers, tuition tax credits, and other such programs funded with public tax dollars.

TASB opposes the use of the Permanent School Fund for open enrollment charter school facilities.

TASB supports the creation of a measure to credit districts with student growth in the accountability ratings.

TASB supports legislation to correct the state’s structural deficit, which perpetuates the underfunding of public education.