Tim Jenney, superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, left an automated message on my phone on Saturday about the proposed drastic cuts in education from the State. I think it is interesting that he is proposing sin taxes and taxes on sugary drinks. Here is the transcript of the automated message:
Hello, this is Tim Jenney, superintendent of Fort Bend ISD.
By now, I believe everyone knows of the Texas Legislature's proposal to make deep cuts in the funding of all school districts in the coming school year.
I want you to know that the district is slated to suffer a funding loss of between $30 and $74 million. These budget cuts will negatively affect many of the programs and services the district currently provides for your children, for you and our community. This is a significant amount of money and every child in this district will be affected.
However, it is important for you to know that this loss of funding can be avoided and our state education funding does NOT have to be dramatically cut.
There are other means of protecting Texas education funding, such as:
- using some of the state's 9 billion dollar rainy day fund
- raising sin taxes on alcohol and cigarettes
- creating surcharges for sugary drinks
- restructuring the franchise tax
- reforming target revenues to equalize funding for all children
- utilizing adjusted accounting measures
The district is holding three budget town hall meetings to share this information with our community. And, I encourage you to attend one of them. I want you to know about the potential impact these proposed funding cuts from the state will have on this district and your child's education. In addition, we will give you information on how you can make your feelings known to your elected state legislators about the proposals to shortchange education rather than seek other funding alternatives.
Our first town hall meeting is Thursday, March 3rd at Missouri City Middle School.
The second one is Tuesday, March 8th at Colony Bend Elementary School.
And, the third one is Thursday, March 10th at Austin High School.
All meetings will be held from 7 to 8:30 PM in the school cafeteria.
Our FBISD Board of Trustee members and district administrators have been spending many hours meeting with our elected state representatives to express our concerns about the cuts, and offer suggestions for ways to adopt a state budget that will reduce long term effects on public education in Texas.
Your voice needs to be heard, as well. If there was ever a time to exercise your right as a citizen, this is the time. It is important to continue to contact your elected state officials throughout the spring to share your opinion.
Call, email, or write a letter, please. We need your support, and welcome your attendance.
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