Austin ISD Unveils Legislative Priorities to Address $119 Million Deficit and Ensure Public Education Reform

Austin ISD Sets Legislative Priorities Amid Budget Concerns

Austin, Texas – As the new legislative session approaches in January, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) Board of Trustees has unveiled a comprehensive list of priorities aimed at addressing ongoing challenges in public education. With a daunting multi-million-dollar deficit looming over the district, the focus is significantly on funding—an issue that has been at the forefront of discussions in Texas for quite some time.

Ken Zarifis, president of the employee union Education Austin, emphasized the connection between school funding and broader educational concerns. “If you take all the concerns in public education right now—teacher shortage, worker shortage, achievement—all the things we want out of our public education system, it all goes back to money,” he stated. It’s clear that AISD is facing tough financial realities, with a staggering $119 million deficit requiring urgent attention.

The Importance of Basic Allotment

One of the standout priorities for AISD is the long-overdue increase to the basic allotment—the amount of money districts receive from the state for each student. This allotment has not seen an increase since 2019, and Zarifis pointed out that the district is currently experiencing a shortfall of $1,500 from the state funding rate set back in 2019. When we compare AISD’s funding to the national average, it becomes even more alarming; the district is trailing by between $4,000 to $6,000 per pupil.

“It’s really important that we increase it and increase it dramatically,” Zarifis continued. Without a doubt, improving this allocation is key not only to bridging the gap but also to enhancing the overall educational experience for students throughout the district.

Challenging Recapture Reform

Another priority on AISD’s list is recapture reform. Under the state’s current system, if districts generate funding above a certain threshold—around $6,000 per student—the state reclaims those surplus funds. Zarifis highlighted the flaws in this system, stating, “Theoretically, that means that every kid in the state gets an equal amount of money, basically, to fund their education.” He argued that equality in funding is challenged by varying costs of living in different parts of Texas, pointing out dramatic disparities between communities.

“That’s fine if the cost of living was the same in every place,” he noted. “But you get out of the valley, it’s a very different reality than it is in Austin.” Clear understanding of regional demographics is fundamental when discussing this issue.

The Battle Against School Vouchers

Looking ahead, Governor Greg Abbott is set to revive discussions around school choice, a contentious issue that has faced significant opposition in previous sessions. Education Austin and AISD are staunchly against the implementation of school vouchers, viewing them as a detriment to public education.

Zarifis stated, “We believe there is still a path to stop vouchers, and we’re going to go down that path, and we’re going to fight like hell.” Advocates for public education worry that allowing families to use state funds at private institutions would further undermine struggling public schools. Even if there were a deal on the table that involved increasing the basic allotment, Zarifis insists that it wouldn’t be a fair trade-off. “Let’s fund what we need to fund. And if we have issues around vouchers, let’s talk about that. But fund our public schools. Stop playing around the governor,” Zarifis firmly declared.

Ensuring Local Control

Another key aspect of AISD’s priorities includes a push to maintain local control over educational matters, especially as the State Board of Education begins to scrutinize library books and introduce new curriculum standards, with some content even sourced from the Bible. The board’s actions represent a concern for many who believe that local school districts should have a say in how they operate.

As the January session nears, AISD’s priorities highlight the urgent need for reform and funding improvements. With staunch commitments to fight for public education in Texas, the Austin community is rallying to ensure that their students receive the quality education they deserve.