A handful of districts have joined the lawsuit so far, but more than 30 others are expected to sign on after their school boards approve such action. At issue is a 1993 state law requiring property-wealthy school districts to send a portion of their tax revenues to poorer districts to balance the amount spent on each Texas student. But it has created problems for wealthy districts, forcing some to eliminate programs and cut staff. About one-fifth of the state's 1,000 districts have reached the tax ceiling and wealthy districts say their schools need more money. We are asking the Legislature to adequately fund education for all school districts.
Creel is right.
The system isn't working for everyone. On the other hand, poorer districts need the money from wealthier districts to fund programs for students with learning difficulties, train staff and purchase materials. Those districts are also right. This is the dilemma facing lawmakers - and it's not an easy one to resolve. But it's an issue that lawmakers and others are familiar with because public school financing has been a sticking point for years in Texas.