AISD: School funding is district's top legislative priority
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The fight to get more money from the state continues for many school districts across Texas.
With the legislative session fast approaching, many districts are releasing their legislative priorities. School funding is at the top of Austin ISD's list.
"At a time when we need more, we are making due with less," said Austin ISD Trustee Lynn Boswell. "It is going to be a process to find out where those cuts come from."
On Nov. 21, the AISD Board of Trustees approved the district's priorities for the 89th Legislature, which will convene in January 2025.
"We have 73,000 students to serve and Texas ranks consistently among the bottom states in student funding, so funding is always at the top of our agenda," Boswell said.
When it comes to funding, the district wants to increase the basic allotment and add a requirement that the basic allotment be adjusted each biennium based on the rate of inflation.
The district also wants to increase funding for students receiving special education services, to cover the actual district costs for providing needed services.
"We have some priorities related to recapture, reforming the system really considering the impact of recapture on housing affordability, considering the impact of recapture on communities with high numbers of families who have economic disadvantage, economic need."
Trustees are also hoping to commission a study of the impact of recapture on housing affordability. They also want to commission a study of the recapture system to examine whether the current operation of the system aligns with the original goals when created in 1993.
"We would like to see the state kicking in their fair share," said AISD Trustee Kathryn Whitley Chu. "The burden is increasingly falling on local communities with Austin facing the biggest burden."
Whitley Chu said they will continue to oppose school vouchers as well.
"Keeping public funds in public schools," Chu said.
For a full list of Austin ISD's legislative priorities click here.