TASB 2008-10 Advocacy Agenda Resolutions
As Amended October 3, 2009
SCHOOL FINANCE
Funding for Districts with Declining Enrollments
TASB shall support increased appropriations to fund school districts with declining enrollments to the 98th percentile of their previous year Average Daily Attendance.
65 Percent Rule
TASB shall support expanding the definition of "instructional costs" for purposes of the 65 Percent Rule to include costs related to librarians, counselors, school maintenance, and transportation.
Base Realignment Closures
TASB shall support the continued funding for a school district experiencing a decline of 2 percent or more in average daily attendance resulting from the closure or reduction of personnel of a military base.
Compensatory Education
TASB shall oppose the use of set-asides from the Foundation School Program compensatory education funding to pay for other state programs and services.
Formula Funding
TASB shall support returning to a formula-funded school finance system that is adjusted for adequacy so that funding is available to pay for all required services and operations and for the effects of inflation since the 2005-06 school year.
Increasing Enrollment Due to Base Realignment
TASB shall support additional federal and state funding for those school districts which will be impacted by dramatically increasing student enrollment resulting from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act.
NIFA Funding
TASB shall support legislation to increase the New Instructional Facilities Allotment (NIFA) from $250 to $500 per ADA.
Small and Mid-size Adjustment
TASB shall support increasing the adjustment to the basic allotment to provide relief for all small and midsize school districts, regardless of Chapter 41 status, due to diseconomy of size.
TRS Contributions
TASB supports legislation that requires the state to include the teacher pay raise mandated by House Bill 1 and any future state-granted, across the board salary increases in the minimum salary schedule to ensure that the state is responsible for making its share of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) payments, not only for the statutory minimum salary schedule but also for any state-mandated pay increases.
Value Growth
TASB shall support legislation that permits the additional taxes and state aid earned from new value growth to be added to the target revenue of fast growth districts.
Limitation on Issuance of Tax-Supported Bonds
TASB shall support efforts to modify the 50-cent I&S tax rate cap within Chapter 45 of the Texas Education Code to allow districts to issue tax-supported school district bonds for less than 40 years in order to reduce interest payments and save taxpayers money.
Salaries and Benefits
TASB shall support state funding for competitive salary and benefit packages for all school districts with an annual cost of living adjustment to attract and retain qualified employees.
Formula Funding Driver
TASB shall support legislation that would provide the amount of funding accruing to the state because of property value growth back to school districts through an equitable funding formula.
Simplify School Funding Calculations
TASB shall support the reduction of the complexity and uncertainty of school funding by simplifying the school funding calculations.
Technology Allotment
TASB shall support an increase in the technology allotment.
CURRICULUM
Adding Additional Courses to Recommended High School Program
TASB shall support legislation or a change in State Board of Education rules that adds additional math and science courses, specifically including applied math and science courses, to those approved for the Recommended High School Program.
College Readiness
TASB shall support legislation and rules that provide Texas school districts with the curricular resources and local flexibility necessary to prepare students to enter college or the workforce with the knowledge and skills they need to compete in a global, 21st century economy.
DAEP Funding and Standards
TASB shall support equitable and properly funded disciplinary alternative education programs (DAEPs) that will provide a curriculum and coursework necessary for graduation. This curriculum may consist of several delivery methods, which may be correspondence courses, distance learning, or summer school with a teacher-to-student ratio that is conducive to the student's learning environment.
Development of TEKS
TASB shall support a process that relies on input from professional educators working in Texas public schools to develop essential knowledge and skills for each subject in the required curriculum.
Expanding Courses that Apply Toward Math and Science Credit
TASB shall support elective and vocational courses to count toward math and science credit when the school is not in a block or modified schedule.
GED Certificates
TASB shall support legislation that affirms that a student who attains a General Education Development Certificate (GED) is a "completer."
P-16 Initiative
TASB shall support the P-16 initiative which will focus on reducing dropout rates for students; reducing the number of high school graduates needing remedial education; increasing the participation in higher education; and increasing the number of minorities completing dual credit courses, college degrees, and certificates.
Graduation Plans
TASB shall support legislation or a change in State Board of Education rules that adds educational pathways for students participating in the Recommended High School Program: academic, fine arts, and career and technical education.
Graduation Plans
TASB shall support the immediate creation and implementation of a career and technical graduation plan for those students wishing to pursue a career in vocational trades.
PROPERTY TAX
Additional Discretionary Pennies
TASB shall support legislation that allows districts to access the two additional discretionary pennies of the maintenance and operations property tax equalized to the guaranteed yield level of Austin ISD without voter approval.
Authorization Election
TASB shall support legislation that permits school districts to hold an authorization election rather than a rollback election to obtain voter approval for future assessment of the remaining maintenance and operations pennies authorized by law.
M&O Tax Rate
TASB supports local board approval of maintenance and operations tax rates without voter approval.
Property Value Study
TASB shall support amending Texas Government Code Section 403.302 relating to the comptroller's Property Tax Division annual property value study to allow a margin of error of 10 percent.
Tax Code, Chapter 313
TASB shall support the continued tradition of local control on Tax Code 313 Agreements.
Tax Rate Adoption
TASB shall support allowing school districts to adopt tax rates based on the certified property value estimates released by county appraisal districts in June.
Truth-in-Taxation Notices
TASB shall support legislation that simplifies the required truth-in-taxation notice.
Property Value Growth
TASB shall support action allowing local school districts to retain more of the local property taxes generated from increases in local property values.
Real Estate Transaction Data Disclosure
TASB shall support the complete and immediate dissemination of all real estate transaction data received by the Texas Comptroller’s office to the local county appraisal districts in which the real estate is located.
LOCAL GOVERNANCE
Confidentiality of Reference Letters
TASB shall support legislation to make letters of reference submitted during the application process confidential and not subject to disclosure, even by the person about whom written.
Disciplinary Options for Title V Felonies
TASB shall support legislation revising the disciplinary options for students who have committed Title V felonies.
Observance of Special Recognition Dates
TASB shall support legislation that would make the observance of special recognition dates optional rather than mandatory.
School Start Date
TASB shall support local control of the school calendar by repealing the statue that mandates a uniform school start date or, at a minimum, reinstituting the waiver process.
Special Education Paperwork Reduction
TASB shall support ways to reduce the paperwork imposed on school districts by TEA in regard to testing accommodations for students with disabilities.
School Board Elections
TASB shall support legislation that would allow local governance over school board elections.
School District Property
TASB shall support legislation prohibiting a home rule city from enforcing land development regulations against a school district for aesthetics and property value purposes.
2010 Census
TASB shall support the accurate and complete census count in 2010, including the Census in Schools project and any other civic campaigns to help inform the public on the importance of the census count.
TARGET REVENUE
Target Revenue Disparities Among Neighboring Districts
TASB shall support legislation to change the target revenue calculation in order to reduce the disparities in funding neighboring school districts.
Target Revenue Increase
TASB shall support legislation to increase target revenue levels to recognize the actual cost of essential programs and services for students.
Target Revenue Minimum
TASB shall support a floor to be established for target revenue that is determined at a minimum level by the current state average.
Target Revenue Variances
TASB shall support legislation that will modify the calculations for target revenue as the variances in the dollar amount between individual school districts are too great and are not equitable.
ACCOUNTABILITY
21st Century Accountability System
TASB shall support legislation to create an academic performance accountability system that supports 21st century college and workforce standards.
Accountability System
TASB shall support a less complex accountability system that rewards individual student progress; recognizes large, diverse districts; reduces state testing; and implements constructive measures before sanctions.
Alignment of Accountability Systems
TASB shall support legislation that combines the federal and state accountability systems for districts into one standard accountability system.
Reduction of Field Testing
TASB shall support the reduction of field testing and increased balance in the state testing calendar to reduce lost instructional time for students and staff.
Completion Rate Data
TASB shall support allowing school districts the opportunity to correct completer data records prior to the release of preliminary district accountability ratings.
Resources for the New Accountability System
TASB shall support legislation that bridges the new accountability system with needed resources required to address the diverse needs of individual students.
FACILITIES
Energy Efficiency Goal
TASB shall support legislation eliminating the 5 percent per year goal to reduce school districts' energy consumption or support adding a waiver for districts that have documentation of efforts implemented prior to the new law.
Impact Fees for Residential Developers
TASB shall support legislation that authorizes school districts to assess impact fees to residential developers.
Proposed Zoning Changes
TASB shall support legislation requiring municipalities to notify school districts when zoning changes are being proposed that affect residential development and/or development density.
Storm Water Drainage Fees
TASB shall support legislation exempting school districts from storm water drainage fees assessed by municipal drainage utility systems.
STAFF ISSUES
Special and Bilingual Education Stipends
TASB shall support special education and bilingual education stipends.
Teacher Funding for Additional Training Days
TASB shall support providing funding to employ teachers at least one extra day for mandated training above and beyond training to improve student achievement.
Teacher Planning Periods
TASB shall support planning and preparation periods to be used for individual or team planning.
STUDENT ISSUES
ADA Exceptions
TASB shall support legislation to include student absences for making college visits and participating in Olympic-caliber events as exceptions for which ADA funding is provided.
Early Childhood Development
TASB shall support early childhood development and curriculum that meets and exceeds the needs of all students.
Funding for Dyslexia Detection and Intervention
TASB shall support adequate funding that ensures early detection and intervention for students with dyslexia.
Student Discipline
TASB shall support student discipline that is equitably enforced with all student populations.
At-Risk Students
TASB supports increased funding for the implementation of programs in public schools that identify and provide interventions and curricular opportunities for students beginning in prekindergarten to decrease dropout rates.
TRANSPORTATION
Seatbelts on Non-District Buses
TASB shall support statutory language that would allow flexibility to districts when it is not possible to use school buses and there are not contracted buses with seatbelts available.
Seatbelts on School Buses and Exemption from Liability
TASB shall support revising current law to encourage, rather than require, students to wear seatbelts on buses or adding language that districts are not liable if students refuse to comply.
Transportation Funding
TASB shall support increasing transportation funding to compensate school districts for providing transportation for all students, including for educational services such as magnet schools and students under the supplementary educational service, and having the funding reflect actual transportation costs.
Transportation Funding
TASB shall support legislation that increases state funding for pupil transportation systems.
Transportation Funding
TASB shall support legislation that clarifies that districts will receive state transportation funding for students who attend a magnet school within their own districts and for students who live more than two miles from the school.
Regional Transportation Authority
TASB shall support legislation amending the Texas Transportation Code to include school board representation as a member of the regional transportation authority.