05-03-2025
Corpus Christi teachers, union supporters march for public education
About two dozen members of local unions and community organizations gathered in front of Corpus Christi ISD's downtown administration building to draw attention to what they view as state and national threats to public education.
The American Federation of Teachers held a "Protect Our Kids" day of action Tuesday across the country. The Corpus Christi chapter of the teachers union organized the local event, joined by representatives from the Coastal Bend Labor Council, the local chapter of the NAACP, League of United Latin American Citizens, CHISPA League of Conservation Voters and For the Greater Good.
Amid widespread cuts to the federal government, President Donald Trump has discussed eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, which administers billions of dollars to schools annually, oversees federal student loans, protects students from discrimination and holds higher education institutions accountable.
"Right now, our teachers need protection from the full-frontal attack on public education, on our public schools," Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers President Nancy Vera said.
At the state level, the Texas Legislature is currently considering plans for education funding.
After failing to pass a school vouchers program last legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott is again championing education savings accounts, which would provide funding for families to use for private school tuition and educational expenses.
Last legislative session, state lawmakers failed to increase the basic allotment public schools receive per student after plans were linked to a voucher program.
"Our government is undermining public schools — worse yet, they are undermining parents and our families and our children," Vera said. "And we won't stand for it."
The Legislative Budget Board reported in January that local education agencies might experience funding drops when students leave public school to participate in an education savings account program.
An analysis from Every Texan, a nonprofit organization focused on equity, estimates that if 5% of students accept a voucher, Texas public schools would lose an estimated $2.25 billion. This estimate is based on Texas Education Agency data on 2023-24 enrollments and school finances.
If 1% of Corpus Christi Independent School District students accepted a voucher, the district would lose more than $2.7 million. If 5% did, it would be a $13.5 million hit, according to the report.
Two years ago, Gov. Greg Abbott visited Corpus Christi to explain his support of "school choice." That year, several local private school leaders expressed optimism about how education savings accounts might impact school families.
During the Tuesday event, the group held signs and joined in chants denouncing school vouchers and expressing support for public schools as they marched down the street.
Attendee Conor Rice said that Texans already have choice without vouchers, pointing to his own education.
"I went to Windsor Park (Elementary School)," Rice said. "Why? Because my parents realized school choice already exists, and instead of going to my closest school, I went to the best school for me in Texas public schools, which was Windsor Park Elementary."
Windsor Park Elementary School hosts Corpus Christi ISD's gifted and talented program, drawing students from across the district. CCISD high schools also accept transfers for programs of choice, including career and technical education and early college high school programs. Other area public school districts also accept out-of-district transfers, sometimes at no cost.
The Tuesday march took place on the sidewalk outside of the Corpus Christi ISD headquarters, though representatives of the school district did not participate.
However, some of the concerns outlined by the community members align somewhat with past and present school district legislative priorities.
Two years ago, CCISD's legislative priorities for the 88th session of the Texas Legislature specifically called out vouchers, asking lawmakers to prohibit the use of local taxpayer dollars for school options that would divert state funding from the public school system and to restrict the expansion of charter schools.
For the current state legislative session, the voucher language has been dropped. CCISD is calling for an increase to the basic allotment that public schools receive per student and an overhaul to fund schools based on enrollment as opposed to attendance. The district is also calling for funded teacher pay raises and dollars to go toward state security mandates, as well as accountability reform, universal pre-K and assistance on insurance costs.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi teachers union opposes state school voucher plans
