Latest news with #publicschoolfunding
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Ohio's funding fair yet? Fair School Funding Plan sponsor says not quite
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — When high school history teacher John Patterson won his first state House race, he wanted to fix Ohio's public school funding. More than a decade later, the state has once again implemented his funding plan, but Patterson said Ohio still has a ways to go. 'It's going to be, again, a commitment to right this ship,' Patterson said. 'We didn't get here overnight. We're not going to get out overnight.' Ohio uses the Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Formula to determine how much money each public school district should get from the state. Under Ohio's new biennial budget, which was signed late on June 30 by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the formula was phased in as the 'largest overall school funding investment' in Ohio's history, per DeWine. Public school advocates say the state is still underfunding schools by $2 billion. Patterson said Ohio is not yet fairly funding districts, as the state needs to consider all aspects of the formula, update its financial data more regularly and embrace bipartisan solutions. How Ohio's recently passed budget will expand driver's ed requirements Patterson, a Democrat, created the Fair School Funding Plan alongside former Speaker of the Ohio House Robert Cupp, a Republican. The pair spent several years working with legislators, superintendents and school treasurers to develop a formula to fund schools adequately. This formula weighs individual factors for each of Ohio's 611 public school districts to determine which needs more state support. Patterson said although he's glad the formula was continued, equitable funding requires a better implementation of the formula's categorical inputs. The categorical portion examines transportation demands, economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, special education and other important factors that Patterson said have been largely sidelined in Fair School Funding discussions. He also asked the state to consider more efficient updates. Under the current funding plan, districts have to update their data inputs with the most recently available data. However, the state will use data from 2022 through the end of Fiscal Year 2027, widening the gap between districts' inputs and the state's annually. Patterson said the cost of running a school, like the cost of groceries, has noticeably increased since 2022, so using outdated data points minimizes how much schools get under the formula. Public school advocates have long echoed Patterson's worry about the state's use of outdated financial data, encouraging the state to use the most recently available information. Patterson said although the data should be more recent, a slight delay in the state's inputs is needed to properly plan allocations. However, he said districts still need to update their data annually to avoid skewing the formula. 'There's got to be a cushion there to make sure that there's enough money to cover what ought to happen,' Patterson said. 'Because remember the data inputs there, that's real dollars.' Ohio equal rights, gay marriage amendment eyes 2026 ballot Patterson said the funding plan blends property and income wealth to better understand a school district's ability to fund education. Property tax reform was a major issue this budget cycle, but Patterson was grateful DeWine vetoed reform proposals that could have skewed the formula. Patterson was glad to see DeWine created a new work group to tackle property tax instead, saying the problem is too ingrained in local funding systems to fold into the budget. Patterson said the legislators who were involved in developing and passing the Fair School Funding Plan are being phased out of the legislature, leaving a newer General Assembly without input from the original work group. He encouraged lawmakers to learn as much as possible about the funding plan and public districts' funding needs. 'That's the beauty of the Fair School Funding Plan. It's not a wish list. It's a real depiction of what school districts are spending in a certain amount of time in order to meet their obligations,' Patterson said. Patterson said Ohio's school funding — and adjacent property tax relief concerns — need bipartisan collaboration like his with Cupp on the formula. He said he spent more time with Cupp than he did with any other lawmaker except for his roommate, another Republican representative who shared an apartment with Patterson. 'It can be done if we want to do what's best for the people, and by doing what's best for the people, both parties are benefited as well,' Patterson said. 'Some are more concerned with climbing the ladder or holding on to power. I believe in doing what's right for the people, and that's who Bob Cupp is, too.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
01-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
As the Texas legislative session ends, a look at major bills and changes that impact you
Monday, June 2 is the last day of the regular Texas Legislative session. The end of the session brings changes that impact public schools, property tax relief, criminal justice, abortion and more. Property tax relief Texas Senators celebrated the additional $10 billion in relief from school property taxes this year that they and lawmakers in the House passed this session. That's on top of the record property tax cuts from two years ago. The homestead exemption for most Texas homeowners will rise from $100,000 to $140,000. For people over 65, the homestead exemption will increase to $200,000, and local leaders say many seniors won't end up paying school property taxes at all. Exemptions for business property taxes will also increase from $2,500 to $125,000 next year. "Every session we have been here, we have done historic, not just big things, historic things to create property tax relief for Texans," said Republican State Sen. Angela Paxton of McKinney. Governor Greg Abbott will sign the bills, which he considered one of this top priorities. In November, residents will have the final say by voting to make it permanent in the Texas Constitution. Public school funding Another priority bill headed to the Governor's desk will inject a record $8.5 billion in new money for the state's public schools. About half of that, $4.2 billion, will go to permanent pay raises for teachers with three or more years of experience. The legislature is also sending school districts an extra $500 million dollars to give pay raises to entry-level teachers and non-administrative staff. State Rep. Brad Buckley of Salado said, "A guarantee for public school teachers that is unprecedented, not really, it is unprecedented. It is unprecedented in this state." Lawmakers also approved legislation to crack down further on disruptive students and allow local school boards and parents to have more control over the books in public school libraries. Bringing the bible to the classroom Also passed in this session: voluntary prayer in schools and requiring school districts to display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Texas Republican Rep. Candy Noble said, "Nothing is more deep-rooted in the fabric of our American tradition of education than the Ten Commandments; the way we treat others as a society comes from the principles found in the Ten Commandments." "I just think if I were giving a speech, I would say it just seems like we're trampling over the freedom of religion by passing your bill," said Democrat State Rep. Vikki Goodwin of Austin. The ACLU of Texas is one of the organizations promising to challenge the law in court. Film industry incentives The state is also providing $1.5 billion in incentives over the next decade to attract television and film production to better compete against other states. Big Hollywood names, including Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, spoke during the session in favor of Texas Senate Bill 22. Taylor Hardy, the Fort Worth Film Commissioner, stated that the bill would bring jobs to Tarrant County, boost business for local hotels and restaurants, and ultimately attract more visitors. "Since the Fort Worth Film Commission was founded about 10 years ago, we've measured $700 million in economic impact and over 30,000 jobs supported. Those are over a period of time, but that's almost the equivalent of another American Airlines headquarters in terms of the amount of jobs it's created," Hardy told CBS News Texas. Bail reform Another priority of Governor Abbott's is headed to his desk: bail reform. It requires judges to deny bail in more criminal cases and allows prosecutors a chance to appeal judges' decisions on bail. "This is common sense," Abbott said previously when speaking about the bill. "You pass this bill, pass this constitutional amendment, lives will literally be saved. You fail to pass this; more people are going to be murdered. This has to get done." Residents will also have to vote in November to change the Texas Constitution, which will force judges to deny bail for those accused of murder and other violent crimes. Texas' near abortion ban Lawmakers also passed legislation that will clarify medical exceptions to the state's near abortion ban. The changes would not expand abortion access in Texas or list specific medical exceptions under the state's near-total ban, which took effect in 2022 and only allows for an abortion to save the life of the mother. It also would not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The bill would specify that doctors cannot face criminal charges for performing an abortion in a medical emergency that causes major bodily impairment. It also defines a "life-threatening" condition as one capable of causing death. THC products ban And in what has turned out to be a very controversial bill, the state will ban all THC products statewide starting in September. After the state allowed hemp sales to support farmers, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said new smoke shops exploited a loophole in that law. Stores and businesses that sell products have pushed back and hope the Governor will veto the measure. Patrick said businesses and stores are selling dangerous products. "These are bad actors," said Patrick. "These are people who want to kill your kids. They don't give a damn." In response, Thomas Winstanley, Executive Vice President of sent a statement saying, "The Lieutenant Governor's statement is not only deeply irresponsible—it's dangerously misleading. To characterize an entire industry as "bad actors'" who "want to kill your kids" is a flagrant misrepresentation that borders on satire, if it weren't so inflammatory coming from an elected official." The Governor has already signed into law another bill that requires Apple and Google to verify the ages of its app store users. Lawmakers are also spending at least $1 billion a year for the foreseeable future to create new water sources and fix leaky water pipes to accommodate a growing population and industries. Watch Eye On Politics at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning on CBS News Texas, on air and streaming on the CBS News app. Follow Jack on X: @cbs11jack
CBS News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Historic public school funding bill clears Texas House, awaits Gov. Abbott's signature
The Texas House has passed the largest public school funding increase in state history, sending the measure to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for final approval. Just before 4 p.m., lawmakers in the lower chamber overwhelmingly approved House Bill 2, which allocates $8.5 billion in new funding for public education. Roughly half of that amount will go toward permanent pay raises for most teachers and non-administrative staff. Texas Capitol at sunset on a cloudy day Getty Images/iStockphoto The Senate unanimously approved the measure 31-0 on Friday night. The legislation also includes a significant overhaul of the state's special education programs, aiming to improve services and support for students with disabilities. Republicans say the $8.5 billion increase in public school funding represents the largest single increase in state history. About half of this new money, $4.2 billion, is for teacher pay raises, the largest in state history. Other non-administrative staff will also receive a raise. Teachers with three plus years of experience would receive a raise, and that increase would double in year five. Teachers in rural school districts and five plus years of experience would receive up to $8,000 more. Free pre-K is available for teachers as well.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Two bills to keep an eye on as the Texas legislative session wraps up
Here's what bills are left to be signed as Texas Legislature wraps up 89th session Here's what bills are left to be signed as Texas Legislature wraps up 89th session Here's what bills are left to be signed as Texas Legislature wraps up 89th session As the final week of the Texas legislative session begins, there are a few education bills that could make it to the finish line. One of those is the public school funding bill, which is most likely to make it to the governor's desk. The public school funding bill, known as House Bill 2, would increase funding for public education to $8.5 billion. That's a $500 million increase compared to the deal earlier this month. Schools will see per-student funding, or basic allotment, increase by $55, which opponents have said isn't enough. Even with the small increase, it would be the first bump to basic allotment since 2019. The Texas House will most likely accept the bill this week, then it will move to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Another bill that could cross the governor's desk is House Bill 6 – school discipline for younger students. This bill details how to discipline students in pre-K through second grade and homeless students when there is a repeated and significant disruption. It would overturn Texas laws that previously protected those students. Senators have softened those guidelines, which gives individual schools more autonomy to discipline students. The latest version allows in-student suspensions for as long as the school sees fit, as long as principals review placements every 10 days. The House must concur before it goes to the governor.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
New deal would inject $8.5 billion in new money for Texas public schools
New deal would inject record $8.5 billion in new money for Texas public schools New deal would inject record $8.5 billion in new money for Texas public schools New deal would inject record $8.5 billion in new money for Texas public schools The Texas Senate could vote on a new public school funding bill as early as Thursday that would inject a record $8.5 billion in new money for the state's school districts. That is a $500 million increase from the most recent version of the legislation and comes after lawmakers in the House and Senate struck a new deal Wednesday afternoon. Republicans say the $8.5 billion increase in public school funding represents the largest single increase in state history. About half of this new money, $4.2 billion, is for teacher pay raises, the largest in state history. Other non-administrative staff will receive a total of $500 million. Teachers with three plus years of experience would receive a raise and that increase would double in year five. Teachers in rural school districts and five plus years of experience would receive up to $8,000 more. Free pre-K is available for teachers as well. The state will also invest $135 million for teacher preparation and certification programs that will see the phasing out of uncertified teachers by 2030. Those are teachers who have no formal, in-classroom training before being hired. The TEA said last year, 56% of first-time teachers were uncertified. The deal also increases per-student funding by $1,600. There would be an extra $300 million for small and mid-sized school districts and an additional $800 million for growing and rural districts. School safety funding would increase by $430 million. Special education programs would receive an extra $850 million. The Texas Senate is expected to approve the bill. It will then head to the House. Watch Eye On Politics at 7:30 Sunday morning on CBS News Texas on air and streaming
