Look Out for the 82nd

It’s almost time for Texas 82nd Legislature Regular Session, Jan 11 at high noon. The legies are already at it with proposed educational reform from protecting us against bullying (HB170 Raymond, HB224 Strama), beverages (HB127 Alvarado), and borders (HB22 Riddle, HB29 Guillen). Shoot, that’s not even the silly ones. But with all their bravado, they continue to avoid the 600-lb. dunce in the corner --- school financing.

Even though I applaud proposals to increase teacher retiree benefits and give out a $4000 pay raise to working teachers (HB62 Matinez), that’s a bit short-lived due to an expected deficit of $18 - $25 billion (depends on who’s calculating) that seems to have suddenly appeared on the state’s books. I don’t remember one word about that during the elections, much less any plans to deal with it. Oh, excuse me, Governor Perry did mention that he intends to seek 5-15% cuts across budget, including education. And, that’s on top of the $3 billion that districts now must pick up from the legies early-on acceptance of stimulus dollars. And, the $2.5 billion in more funds needed to serve an ever-increasing student roll. And, don’t forget that the grass-roots, democracy-now, no-big-gov, no-more-tax, freedom-first-and-last, send-‘em-back-where-they-belong Teapublicans, well, are all about keeping what’s theirs, by god and by state’s rights.

Even if LEDs decide to raise local taxes for school funding, remember Chapter 41, the Robin Hood plan developed as a stopgap measure to inequitable funding. That sends about 40 cents of every dollar back to the “land poor” districts to give them a chance. Funny, but it is no longer the border districts that fall into that category. It’s now districts in and around Houston and Dallas.

So, that leaves the Texas public in a bit of a financial pinch that promises to turn into a series of slaps to the face and blows to the gut. What can we expect to happen. Here are a few predictions that even a four-year, home-schooled graduate can figure out. First, don’t count on a pay raise, duh. Since 85% of school costs are involved in staff salary, the fastest way to reduce expense is to reduce headcount. No one will be immune as job loss will affect (and in some districts is already affecting) all from custodian to administrator, but mostly, teacher. Secondly, with fewer staff get ready for a higher student to teacher ratio. Secondary core classes of 30 to 1 are not unusual. I even know of classes with 34 and 36 to 1 ratios working. But, I suppose that with good learning-style differentiation techniques and student-centered lesson plans promoting self-directed learning that shouldn’t be a real issue (lol). Finally, look for a lawsuit to get the legies off their collective butts and on their weak-kneed, wobbly-legged, pigeon-toed feet (sorry, my disdain is showing).

For a more balanced look at school funding, click on the following: Invest in Schools, World Internet News, and, one of my favs, Equity Center Radio.