As the Texas Legislature begins its latest session, Alpine ISD is drawing attention to alarming data from the Legislative Budget Board that highlights a decade-long decline in public school funding. The district expressed concern over the steady decrease in per-student funding and called on lawmakers to take action to fulfill their constitutional obligation to adequately fund public education.
Funding at a Historic Low
According to the Legislative Budget Board:
- Combined local, state, and federal per-student funding, adjusted for inflation, has declined 16% since 2016.
- Funding levels temporarily increased following the passage of HB-3 in 2019 and the infusion of federal ESSER dollars in 2021, but those gains have been erased over the past four years.
- State-determined per-student funding is now 18% below 2020 levels, eliminating the impact of HB-3 within a year of its implementation.
“Texas’ public schools are at their lowest funding levels in a decade,” Alpine ISD stated.
Challenges for Schools
The steady decrease in funding presents significant challenges for schools across Texas, including Alpine ISD. The district highlighted the difficulty of maintaining quality education and providing necessary resources as funding continues to decline.
“The Texas Legislature has significant work to do this session to meet its constitutional duty to adequately fund Texas’ public schools,” Alpine ISD emphasized.
Appreciation for Transparency
Alpine ISD expressed gratitude to the Legislative Budget Board for making this data publicly available, noting its importance in understanding the ongoing defunding of Texas public schools over the last decade.
A Call to Action
As the legislative session progresses, Alpine ISD urges lawmakers to prioritize public education funding. The district joins educators, parents, and communities across Texas in advocating for increased investment in schools to ensure students receive the resources they need to thrive.
Follow Alpine ISD for updates on this critical issue and ways to support public education during the legislative session.
