From the Equity Center: The EC Xpress November 5, 2013 An Equity Center Publication Volume 4, Number 38 The More You Know ... During the Equity Center board meeting last week, a number of our members asked for information regarding the school finance trial that they could share with their districts. As a result, we wanted to share our Litigation Fact Sheet, which youll find below. LITIGATION FACT SHEET At the Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition, et. al. v. Michael Williams, Commissioner, Texas Education Agency Trial: Lawyers and witnesses for the Fairness Coalition presented testimony and massive documentation providing the primary sources of data that established facts that the states school finance system was inequitable and inadequate. Data and testimony included nearly 200 specific exhibits, and several days of testimony from our expert witnesses and superintendents. Additional testimony and documentation was presented that showed the states school finance scheme established a de facto statewide property tax. Accordingly, Judge Dietz issued a verbal ruling on February 4, 2013, that the Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition plaintiffs were correct and the Texas school finance system was found to be unconstitutional on the grounds that it was inequitable, inadequate, and established a de facto statewide property tax. Additionally, the Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalitions success in court was viewed as the major driving force behind the school funding actions taken by the Legislature during the 83rd regular legislative session. As a result: The Legislature increased funding by $1 billion for the biennium in order to eliminate the Regular Program Adjustment Factor (RPAF). Most importantly, the Legislature increased the basic allotment (BA) from $4,765 to $4,950 in 2013-14 and to $5,040 in 2014-15. These appropriations changes were projected to deliver average funding gains of over $250* per WADA for Fairness Coalition districts in 2013-14. In 2014-15, the average projected funding increases per WADA over 2012-13 levels for school districts in the Fairness Coalition are over $340*. But, several other low-funded districts, also members of the Equity Center, werent so lucky. Their Target Revenue was just high enough that the increased Basic Allotment barely reached them or fell just short of their TR, leaving them with smaller increases in funding. Now, with the new bottom knocking at their front door, it should be clear to everyone that it is past time for the next step - the one that truly funds all districts at a level that will allow for a quality education and is equitable for ALL Texas children. *Legislative Budget Board Model 115 FSP State Aid Impact Summary, May 17, 2013.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 22:51:41 +0000
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