School districts like mine are slashing budgets, jobs, and it’s Gov. Abbott’s fault | Opinion

In Texas, our commitment to public education is being undermined by short-sighted policies that prioritize the few over the many. Across the state, school districts are facing budget cuts, layoffs and uncertainty, while state leaders fail to adequately support the needs of more than 5 million public school students.

During last year’s legislative sessions, Gov. Greg Abbott championed a school voucher program that would disproportionately benefit a small number of private-school students. In an attempt to coerce public schools into compliance, increased funding for districts was dangled as a carrot. When the bills came up short, it left us with funding levels unchanged since before the pandemic.

It’s worth noting that very little costs less in 2024 than it did in 2019, yet our public schools are expected to make do with pre-pandemic resources. As a matter of fact, inflation increased by almost 20% over that five-year period.

As legislators convened in Austin, Texas boasted a staggering $32.7 billion budget surplus. This surplus presented a golden opportunity to significantly bolster public education by increasing the basic allotment for student funding. However, even with several special sessions aimed at passing a voucher bill, Texas students bore the brunt of political posturing and self-serving agendas.

Crowley ISD, like many other districts, is now facing difficult decisions due to Abbott’s political posturing and the Legislature’s inaction. The district is cutting personnel, eliminating spending and discontinuing some needed training and development. Entire campuses and departments are being restructured, eliminating jobs and forcing fewer teachers and staff to do more with fewer resources.

This year, CISD is experiencing a budget shortfall of almost $16 million while the state retains billions in surplus. Despite districts’ best efforts to minimize the impact of budget cuts on instruction, there is no way to ensure that Texas students and families will not feel the consequences.

This situation not only spells trouble for public education but also demonstrates a lack of foresight. Texas ranks 29th among the states in education, according to US News. By neglecting to invest in our future workforce, we miss the opportunity to make Texas more attractive to businesses and ensure long-term prosperity. It’s particularly egregious that resources are being diverted from the students who rely most heavily on public education.

As an elected official, I’ve witnessed firsthand the need for sound decision-making based on data, common sense and input from stakeholders. During the legislative session, my colleagues and I advocated tirelessly for Texas public school students, only to find our voices drowned out when it came to school funding. We advocated for a common-sense approach: Base funding on enrollment, not attendance.

Every student enrolled in a school district must be accounted for, regardless of daily attendance. Teacher salaries, student supplies and operational costs persist regardless of attendance rates. In districts like Crowley, which has seen a significant enrollment increase since 2019, our current funding structure leaves between $11 million and $19 million unfunded annually, leading to a looming budget crisis.

Frankly, it’s time for action. Abbott should call a special session for the Legislature to pass a clean school funding bill. The 5 million public school students deserve the education they are entitled to, without their educational experience being sacrificed on the altar of vouchers benefiting a select few. This funding bill should include the common-sense adjustment to fund schools based on enrollment, not attendance.

If Abbott and other lawmakers wish to pursue a voucher program, they should do so in a way that does not penalize the overwhelming majority of Texas students.

Our students deserve every opportunity to succeed, and the decisions made in the last legislative session will reverberate for years to come. Our legislators and governor must prioritize the needs of the many over the interests of the few. It’s not just an ethical imperative; it’s essential for the future of our state.

Daryl R. Davis II serves on the Crowley Independent School District board of trustees.

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