Issue Position: Education for Long Term Success

Issue Position

As a former educator and the mother of two teachers, I understand the need for a strong education system to invest in the future. Collin County and HD 89 are blessed with outstanding schools that contribute to the strong quality of life we enjoy here. We need our tax dollars invested in classrooms where it benefits students and teachers (studies show that only 21% of school funding makes it to the teachers). We should also reduce standardized testing and with it the cost of both making, administrating, and grading those tests. Texas must find a long-term solution to funding our schools, so we can keep Texas out of the courts and instead focus on the classroom. Next session, the current research and recommendations of the School Finance Commission will be presented to the Legislature; I look forward to reviewing and assessing their suggestions for improvement. Robin Hood is a growing problem in House District 89. For example, Plano ISD has 28 cents from every dollar going to another school district without any say in how their tax dollars are spent. Yet, as a taxpayer, it is almost impossible to find out which schools are getting or giving funds to recapture. The system needs revamping so that there is transparency in the process, accountability for the money spent, and to insure our money is being spent in classrooms. Only then can we understand the needs that are already addressed, any waste that is ongoing, and if our money is being spent wisely.

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