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School Finance and Revenue

Texas law authorizes public school districts to levy annual ad valorem taxes, enter certain forms of indebtedness, and invest public funds. The following are resources related to public school finance and revenue sources, including taxation, bonds, loans, grants, and investments.

School Finance
Taxation and Tax Ratification (Rollback) Elections
Other Revenue and Investments

School Finance   

Related Policies

Your local school board policy manual contains TASB's (LEGAL) reference policies and board-adopted (LOCAL) policies.  Your district may also have relevant administrative regulations.  For more information on school finance, see district policy and regulations at the following codes:

CBA	State Revenue Sources
CBB	Federal Revenue Sources
CDH	Public Facilities Corporations

TASB Resources

• TASB Legal Services' ARRA Overview:  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides an overview of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), enacted on February 17, 2009, as it relates to schools.
• TASB Governmental Relations (GR) offers a collection of resources on public school finance. TASB GR also offers information on the ARRA.
• A Guide to Texas School Finance, for sale in the TASB Store, offers an overview of the foundation program, target revenue, revenue sources, and facilities funding.
• The History of Texas Public School Finance through 1996, for sale in the TASB Store, is a resource on the history, philosophy, mechanics, and methods used in Texas school finance through 1996.

Other Resources

• The Texas Education Agency (TEA) School Funding Web Site provides a number of resources on state funding, including the foundation school program, forecasting and fiscal analysis, bonds, facilities funding, and Chapter 41 wealth equalization.
• The TEA School Finance Manuals Web Site includes links to TEA school finance publications, such as School Finance 101: Funding of Texas Public Schools Manual, the Manual for Districts Subject to Wealth Equalization, the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook, and the School Transportation Allotment Handbook.
• The nonpartisan research organization Texas Taxpayers and Research Association (TTARA) offers an online Introduction to School Finance.
• The TEA State Funding Calendar provides information about the required finance reporting deadlines and funding distribution dates
• The Region XIII Education Service Center Statewide School Finance Web Site provides links to school finance worksheets and related information.
• The TEA Texas Permanent School Fund Web Site provides information about the fund investment policy, annual reports, and related information.
• The TEA Technology Planning and E-Rate Support System Web Site provides information about the E-Rate program and related information.
• The TEA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Web Site provides information about ARRA funding in Texas and associated reporting requirements as well as other ARRA information.

Taxation and Tax Ratification (Rollback) Elections   

Related Policies

For more information on taxation and tax ratification, formerly known as rollback, elections, see district policy and regulations at the following codes:

CCG	Ad Valorem Taxes and Tax Ratification Elections
CCH	Appraisal District

TASB Resources

• TASB Legal Services' 2012 Tax Ratification Election Information memo provides information and deadlines for ordering and holding a tax ratification election.
• TASB Legal Services' Adoption of Budget and Tax Rates–Traditional Method is a step by step guide to the traditional method of the budget and tax rate adoption process for school districts with a September 1 fiscal year.
• TASB Legal Services' Adoption of Budget and Tax Rates–Early Tax Rate Adoption is a step by step guide to the budget and tax rate adoption process for school districts using certified estimates of property values instead of certified appraisal rolls when adopting a tax rate.
• TASB Governmental Relations (GR) has compiled information on tax ratification elections. 

Other Resources

• The Texas Comptroller of Public Account's Truth-in-Taxation Guide provides information about setting district tax rates.
• The Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Web Site provides an overview of local property tax information for districts and their communities.
• The Comptroller's Appraisal Review Board Web Site provides an overview of appraisal review board procedures and member training. 
• The Texas Education Agency (TEA) School Finance District Performance Summary Reports Web Site includes a searchable database of district performance reports prepared annually beginning with the 2005-06 school year.

Other Revenue and Investments   

Related Policies

For more information on other revenue and investments, see district policy and regulations at the following codes:

CCA	Bonds and Bond Elections
CCB	Time Warrants
CCC	Certificates of Indebtedness
CCD	Recreational Facilities Bonds
CCE	Athletic Stadium Authority
CCF	Loans and Notes
CDA	Investments
CDBA	Revenue Bonds From Proceeds of a Property Sale
CDC	Grants From Private Sources
CDG	Gate Receipts, Concessions

TASB Resources

• First Public, a registered broker-dealer affiliated with TASB, offers information about finance options, including tax anticipation notes and qualified zone academy bonds.
• First Public also offers information on investment options, including the Lone Star Investment Pool and bond proceeds management.
• For information on depositories, see eSource at Governance–Board Roles and Responsibilities.
• For information on booster clubs, fundraising, and charitable raffles, see eSource at Community – Community Relations. 

Other Resources

• The Texas Bond Review Board Web Site provides information about debt issuance, finance, and debt management.
• The Texas Education Agency (TEA) Planning, Grants and Evaluation Web Site provides information about TEA grant opportunities.