BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Superintendents of Bryan and College Station ISDs are expected to travel to the Texas Capitol on Monday, joining other public school leaders in voicing opposition to Senate Bill 2 which addresses the school voucher program.
The bill, which has already passed the Senate and is now under consideration in the House, would create a school voucher program allowing public funds to be used for private school tuition and other education expenses.
Bryan ISD Superintendent Ginger Carrabine told KBTX they are concerned about the financial impact the bill could have on public schools. They are meeting with lawmakers to emphasize the need for increased funding rather than policies they believe could take money away from public school districts.
“We will be at the capital at 8:00 in the morning with the hope that we can talk to the legislators and help them understand the need in public school,” Supt. Carrabine said.
Public school leaders across Texas have raised concerns that this bill could divert crucial state funding from the public school districts, which they said are already struggling with financial challenges.
“We’re serving 5.5 million kids across the State of Texas, and in Bryan ISD we have 16,000, and we are going to ask them to consider increasing the basic allotment,” explained Supt. Carrabine. “We’re operating our districts right now on 2019 dollars. We have to have some relief so that we can take care of our students and our staff who are investing in our kids every single day of the week.”
In addition to opposing the bill, the superintendents are also urging lawmakers to increase the basic allotment, the amount of funding districts receive per student, which has remained unchanged since 2019.
“If they want vouchers to pass, ask that they level the playing field and make sure that they fund public schools, as well as the voucher initiative,” Supt. Carrabine added.
Senate Bill 2 now faces debate in the Texas House, where public school advocates are hoping to prevent its passage.
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