By J. Lyn Carl, GalleryWatch
Austin, TX –
Saying it is all right for lawmakers to disagree on issues such as taxes and the budget, Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) conversely warned that legislators "must never disagree when it comes to our children and their education."
Saying members of the Senate today have an opportunity to "make a real change in our education system," Shapiro laid out her Committee Substitute to HB 2 on the Senate floor today, ready to face more than 75 pre-filed amendments.
The Plano Republican said public education is an "extremely challenging issue," and the bill on the Senate floor today is a "Senate work product" that will allow Texas' system of public school finance to be "one of, if not the most equitable in the nation."
Shapiro outlined some of the highlights of the committee substitute.
Teacher pay raises
Shapiro said her bill directs dollars "where they have the greatest impact on our children - in the classroom." She said CSHB 2 will provide an average pay increase of $4,000 for teachers by 2007. That includes a $2,000 increase in the years 2004-06, with a $1,000 across-the-board pay raise and restoration of the $1,000 pass-through as salary with an option to take the $1,000 as a tax-free health care supplement. In 2006, teachers will realize an increase of $1,500 on top of the $2,000 from the previous year, she said, and performance-based incentives are the equivalent of $500 per teacher.
Reduction of recapture and assurance of equity
The bill as brought to the floor still contains a statewide property tax. However, since that was removed from HB 3 that was passed out of the Senate last night, Shapiro said today's first amendment will take those provisions out of the bill and immediately reduce local tax rates for 1005-06 to $1.15. That will result in a "substantial reduction" in recapture, said Shapiro, with the "highest level of equity state has ever seen."
Funding formulas
Formulas will be "modernized to reflect the 21st Century needs of our state," said the Senate Education Chair, while holding schools accountable. "We desire to make our school finance system more transparent."
Shapiro said her committee substitute combines Tier 1 and Tier 2 to create a single-tier system with a $4,300 ADA allotment with adjustments and weights for special populations. The Cost of Education Index (CEI) will be phased in over six years, she said, ensuring districts receive the higher of either the current or new CEI. Adjustments will be made for rural, small and mid-size schools for a six-year phase-in. Other formulas and weights, said Shapiro, are maintained from the current system.
Local enrichment
Shapiro said Texas public schools, for the "very first time" will have new access to funds that increase the educational environment in their communities. Local enrichment of 5 cents per biennium will be allowed, with a maximum of 15 cents. The bill also will provide for more financial accountability. "As revenues for schools increase, it is important that taxpayer dollars are spent in the most effective and efficient manner possible," said Shapiro. She pledged easily accessible district and campus reporting and "full disclosure" of each and every expenditure.
Revamp of charter schools
"We have some tremendous problems in the (charter schools) system," said Shapiro. Her bill will "retool the system," she said, with the closing of bad operators "who are cheating the state and, even worse, cheating our children." She said all open enrollment charters will be dissolved in 2006 and those that meet standards for academic and financial performance will be designated as a Public Charter District. She said the state will reward those that have outstanding results and hold all charter schools accountable. "Accountable today they are not," said the lawmaker. "Accountable in this bill they will be." She said charter schools are public schools, "So we have a responsibility to monitor them."
The Pipeline
Addressing the move from public schools to institutions of higher education, Shapiro said reform packages relate specifically to post-public school success. It provides links from K-12 schools to institutions of higher education. She said schools will be rated according to their ability to prepare students for post-secondary success. "We will hold our schools accountable for improving student performance," said the Plano Republican. Those needing assistance, "Will receive it," she said, and those that continually fall short "will find themselves under new leadership."
"I am proud of work we've done so far," said Shapiro, noting that once the bill gets to conference committee, she is hopeful what comes out will bring about meaningful reform. "The essence of what is in this bill will not change," she said.
Shapiro said she intends to oppose many of the "cost-drivers" that will be proposed in amendments today because she believes that although they may be worthy, "any additional revenues we may generate must go directly toward school facilities." She said she will recommend that the IFA be addressed and that it be given full funding of $150 million into SB 1, the General Appropriation Bill. "We have the money and that's where it should be spent," she said.
In closing and preparing to take amendments to her bill, Shapiro noted, there is "no challenge too great for those that have the will and the heart to make it happen." She said she is confident the Senate has both the will and the heart to ensure passage of this bill.
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