Texas Legislature Passes Sweeping School Funding Bill
After months of debate and negotiations, the Texas Legislature has finally passed a comprehensive school funding bill, which is now headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature. The bill, known as House Bill 2, aims to inject $8.5 billion into the public school system, with a significant portion allocated for teacher and staff pay raises, as well as funding for school safety, special education, and full-day pre-K.
How the Bill Came to Be
The journey to passing House Bill 2 was not an easy one. Lawmakers went back and forth, wrestling over how to distribute the billions of dollars in funding. A compromise was finally reached between the House and Senate, earning enough support to pass both chambers. House Education Committee Chair Rep. Brad Buckely celebrated the announcement, stating that the bill is about "the classroom, safe schools, early education, early literacy and numeracy, career and technical education, and investing in our teachers."
What’s in the Bill?
The final version of House Bill 2 includes $4.2 billion in targeted pay raises for teachers and support staff, $1.3 billion for basic costs like insurance, diesel, and utilities, and $850 million for special education. The bill also allocates $430 million for school safety efforts, including perimeter security fencing, safety upgrades for exterior doors and windows, and window security film.
Teacher and Staff Pay Raises
Nearly half of the bill’s funding is allocated for teacher and staff pay raises. The bill gives raises to teachers based on their years of experience and the size of the school district where they work. For example, teachers in districts with 5,000 or fewer students will receive a $4,000 raise if they have three or four years of experience, while those with more experience will receive an $8,000 raise.
School Safety
House Bill 2 includes $430 million for school safety efforts, with each school campus receiving $33,500, plus an additional $20 for each student attending the school. The funding can be used for various safety measures, including installation of perimeter security fencing, safety upgrades for exterior doors and windows, and installing window security film.
Special Education
The bill allocates $850 million for special education, including $1,000 reimbursements for student evaluations. The funding will be available in the first year and will eventually expand to an "intensity of service model" in the second year, allowing each student with special needs to receive money based on their individual needs.
Full-Day Pre-K
While House Bill 2 requires districts to provide full-day pre-K, some advocates argue that the measure doesn’t provide enough funding. Peter Clark with Texans Care for Children noted that pre-K is still funded at half the rate of kindergarten, despite full-day pre-K being required.
Conclusion
The passage of House Bill 2 marks a significant investment in Texas’ public education system. While some advocates argue that the funding is still not enough, the bill’s provisions aim to address some of the state’s most pressing education needs, including teacher pay raises, school safety, and special education. As the bill heads to Governor Abbott’s desk for signature, educators, parents, and students await the potential impact of this sweeping legislation on the state’s public schools.
