(Michael Hogue)
Texas public schools continue to make do with less money. The base allocation, or the amount the state provides to school districts per enrolled student, has not increased since 2019. Meanwhile, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has experienced inflation of almost 25% over five years. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This is one reason school districts across the state are running deficit budgets, and one reason my district is asking voters to approve a tax increase and three separate bond issues on November 5th. It is one.
My family moved to Frisco specifically for the school and the promise of a small campus. That was in 2002, and there was only one high school. My children, now 23 and 19, attended Frisco schools for 13 years. I taught in that district for 11 years. I will continue to contribute to this district as a homeowner, neighbor, and volunteer.
I vote in favor of these proposals.
opinion
Based on my home’s current tax assessed value, I would pay an additional $106.42 in property taxes each year if the tax increase were passed. That’s less than the $9 a month that goes toward teachers’ nominal cost-of-living raises. By voting for the three bond proposals, I support improvements to all 77 campuses in the district, including a much-needed replacement for Staley Middle School, security and technology upgrades, a new tennis center, and more.
This is not a rubber stamp approval. I spoke with current educators, those who served on the committees that put together the proposal, and co-chairs of the campaign’s political action committees. I read the district’s financial report and credit analysis. While I am concerned about the district’s per capita debt, I am also impressed with how the district has responded to unprecedented growth. 15,000 students were added between 2012 and 2017. I know firsthand the challenges for education if a bond election fails (2016) and the relief when a bond election passes (2018).
I believe that educating our students is one of the most important investments a community can make, and that public education is a responsibility we all share.
There are some items in the proposal that I don’t like, but I didn’t serve on a committee that spent 10 months visiting campuses, researching, meeting, and deliberating. I trust this process. The process required proposals to receive 80% of the votes to be listed.
Alarming changes have occurred across the country in recent years, creating a hostile and largely unwarranted mistrust of public education that targets librarians, teachers, principals, and administrators. Our governor continues to campaign for vouchers to take money out of the public school system, using his influence to unseat incumbent legislators who voted against school choice.
No system is perfect, but I believe in public schools and educators who engage children regardless of their background, income level, race, religion, or ability. Have you seen any kindergarten teachers in action recently? Did you listen to the 6th grade band concert? Have you attended a science fair?These are the everyday miracles that bring our community together. It costs money to staff these teachers and maintain a safe and efficient campus. I appeal to those who complain and those who are complacent to invest their time, if not their money, in their local public schools.
what does it look like? Ask your local school leader. Maybe you need volunteer help on carpool duty, book fairs, concessions at football games, etc. Perhaps you’re looking to partner with nearby businesses to fund materials and programs that can no longer be accommodated in your campus budget. Join the campus PTA, attend the high school musical, cheer on the underdog volleyball team, or even buy lunch from the culinary arts students.
There are all kinds of ways to invest, and we hope our neighbors will vote to continue investing in Frisco ISD and its more than 65,000 students.
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