Texas Democrats want special session on school funding

DALLAS — Texas public schools’ are facing budget shortfalls and need a boost in state funding to help, said a group of Democrats who are demanding Gov. Greg Abbott call a special session to address the issue.

Houston Democrat Rep. Jon Rosenthal, along with about three dozen members of the House, wrote that districts have severe financial challenges that stem from inflation and chronic underfunding.

“These issues arise from the state’s failure to improve school funding since 2019,” the Monday letter reads.

The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

During other special sessions, efforts to boost the base amount the state provides per-student were ensnared by a political fight over education savings accounts. Abbott tied the fate of public school dollars to his unsuccessful push to create a voucherlike program, which would funnel state money toward private school tuition. House Democrats are staunchly opposed to voucher plans.

“We urge you to bring the Legislature back to Austin to fulfill our Constitutional duty to provide suitable funding for public education,” the letter reads.

The representatives said Texas’ surplus of about $18 billion means the state has the resources to better fund its public schools.

Those who signed the letter asked Abbott’s call to address two funding sources: The amount provided per-student and the amount allocated to pay for school safety needs.

Local school leaders have criticized lawmakers for passing under-funded mandates during their recent session, including the requirement that every school hire an armed guard and implement other expensive security upgrades.

The amount provided by the state doesn’t cover the true cost of these precautions, the administrators say.

A recent survey from the Texas Association of School Business Officials highlighted the difficult decisions districts are making as some are choosing to close schools, reduce staff or cut programming.

For example, Richardson ISD is closing four elementary schools. Dallas school officials have said they are trimming some high school courses and eliminating central office positions.