By: Kristyn Hunt Cathey, APR – Director of Communications
Have you looked at your tax bill lately? The Texas public school tax funding model is complicated, even to the most educated citizen. As the needs of public schools increase from year to year, the State has continued to lessen its contribution to public schools, while simultaneously increasing the number of unfunded mandates presented annually during the legislative season. According to wegopublic.com, “When the price of gas increases, service stations pass along the cost to us. When the cost of education increases, school districts may have to pass the costs to taxpayers to risk short-changing students’ education as money is transferred to pay for these new expenses.” Public schools often wait with bated breath during legislative season; unsure of what is to come. With the attack on public education at an all-time high, it is imperative that school districts remain financially transparent and fiscally sound for their stakeholders to make the most informed decision for their child’s education.
Acknowledging the discussions held in the community around increased property taxes and recognizing the need for clarity on how the district uses those funds, Goose Creek CISD debuted an informational video on the tax fund model in May 2023. The video, written and animated by the Community Engagement department, provided a cost analysis and breakdown of the Texas fund model over the past few decades. Infusing both quantitative and qualitative research, the short video explained in detail the perils that are awaiting public school districts if the State continues to reduce their contribution to the system that has educated most students in the United States.
Goose Creek CISD’s mission to “Develop the Whole Child” is first and foremost in the minds of the Board and district leadership. Maintaining a healthy fund balance while making best use of taxpayer funds allows the district to remain one of the top public-school districts in the state. However, as daily costs increase, so do those for school districts. It will be increasingly difficult to maintain the high-quality education families are accustomed to without more financial contributions and overall support from state legislatures.