TAMS :: Texas Association of Midsize Schools







	Sample Letter To Senate

To the Senate Education Committee and Senate Finance Committee Members Addressed:

Thanks in advance for your efforts to work on solving the public school finance issue. One of the biggest problems, apart from the fact that there are no new monies included, with HB 1 is the issue of "voter approval." A one-time, 3-cent increase (and then voter approval for every penny increase thereafter) is simply unworkable for many, many districts. And it takes away local school board authority (meaningful discretion). We need MORE local control; not less.

There is already a system in place that safeguards local taxpayers. It's called the rollback election provision. School boards are currently limited to 6 cents of tax increase per year (if they have room under the $1.50 cap). Anything past that is subject to a rollback election of the public. That system needs to remain in place in order to maintain the local taxing authority of school boards.

Here are some other reasons that the current system needs to stay in place:

School districts have already held tax authorization elections. There is no need to get a second authorization.
Many districts will be unable to pass tax rate increases of ANY size, eliminating their discretion to tax and raise revenue for uncontrollable cost increases such as fuel costs, electricity costs, etc. This sets school districts up for potential failure (not what the legislature should be about).
Districts with income and property wealth advantages are more likely to be able to pass tax increases, impairing equity even further. And
The requirements for voter approval may reduce or eliminate "meaningful discretion," returning school finance to the courts once again.

I encourage you to do everything in your power to strike the "voter approval" provision from HB 1.

Sincerely,

Dr. Darrell Floyd
Superintendent of Schools
Stephenville ISD

Tuesday, February 07, 2012