San Antonio School Districts Face Funding Crisis
In a troubling turn of events, San Antonio’s school districts are facing financial stress due to a lack of legislative action. Despite the state of Texas declaring a $20 billion budget surplus for the 89th Legislative Session in January 2025, school districts across the state are preparing to file deficit budgets for the 2024-2025 school year.
Multiple Factors Resulting in Funding Shortage
Several factors are contributing to the funding crisis. Among them are double-digit inflation since 2019, the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in student enrollment in some districts, and an increase in unfunded mandates from the Capitol. Moreover, the inaction of the 88th Legislature has further exacerbated the issue.
Teachers in Texas are feeling the strain. They are currently underpaid by an average of $7,500 compared to the national average. This wage gap is pushing school districts into a predicament where they struggle to attract and retain the best teachers.
North East ISD Filing $34M Deficit Budget
The funding crisis is not a theoretical issue but a real-life problem impacting districts like the North East Independent School District (NEISD). As of the beginning of 2024, NEISD was looking at a $34 million deficit budget, just to maintain staff salaries.
Parents like Genevieve Sugalski have noticed the financial strain on schools. She pointed out that extracurricular activities are being cut to fund students’ basic educational needs. In many elementary schools, art has become a classroom activity rather than a separate specialized class due to lack of funding. Teachers for art classes are a luxury that districts can no longer afford.
Hopes for the 89th Legislative Session
Despite the current challenges, there is hope for better funding in the 89th Legislative Session. Parents like Sugalski want to see the state fully fund Texas public schools and give Texas teachers a much-needed raise.
However, they also realize that this will be an uphill battle. The 88th legislative session has already used public education funding as a bargaining chip for vouchers. Parents, students, and teachers are left speculating about the future, hoping for a concerted effort towards better funding.
The lack of sufficient funding does not only affect salaries and teaching positions. It also impacts critical services like school security. Despite new legislation requiring the presence of security guards at every school, the state has only allotted $15,000 per campus, not enough to fully fund the position. This will make it an added burden on the already-stressed school district budgets.
Continuing Issue: Enrollment Decline and Charter School Expansion Progress
Further complicating the situation is the continuing decline in enrollment in several districts like NEISD. This is primarily due to aggressive charter school expansion in areas like Bexar County. Charter school expansion has directly impacted public school enrollment and therefore, public school funding.
The Solution: Advocacy and Action
The desperate situation schools find themselves in should be a wake-up call to legislators and the public. Advocacy groups like Raise Your Hand Texas urge parents and concerned citizens to take part in lobbying for better funding in the upcoming legislative session.
The time to act is now. Teachers need better pay. Students need more resources. Texas deserves better educational outcomes.