#fullyfundgccisd

While the 2019 school finance and tax-cut legislation raised the basic student allotment to $6,160, ending its plateau for a decade from 2009 to 2019, the Texas Legislature has not adjusted the basic allotment since then. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that inflation in Texas has been on the rise since mid-2021 and now is as high as 9 percent. Had the Legislature adjusted the basic allotment for inflation in 2022, as estimated by BLS annually, the basic allotment would be $7,075, which is $915 more than what each district is receiving per student. Based on the BLS inflation rates, this amounts to over $22 million owed to school districts of our size with nearly 25,000 students in 2022.

Texas trails the national average in per-pupil spending by $4,000. The basic allocation for our expenditure has remained stagnant since 2019. Coupled with double-digit inflation, this signifies a reduction in the purchasing power of our education funds.

Next Steps

The $19 billion in federal stimulus funds allocated to Texas public schools will expire in 2024. However, our existing school finance formulas lack the flexibility needed to address ongoing instructional needs and inflationary costs. As Texas lawmakers convene for their next legislative session, they'll have significant funding at their disposal – with over $27 billion in additional general revenue and over $13.6 billion in the state's Rainy Day Fund.

 

It is crucial to advocate to Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature for an adjustment of the basic student allotment to account for inflation. Such an increase would enable our school district to sustain its infrastructure, foster innovation, and ensure annual salary increments for teachers and staff. Prioritizing investment in public school students remains imperative each session, as the future prosperity of Texas hinges on well-supported public schools.

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