Over a decade, our schools have faced budget cuts, unfunded
mandates, and the threat of vouchers, forcing local school boards
to operate under a system designed to fail.
This is not a school board failure, this is a
state-created crisis.
I refuse to stand by while our public schools are
scapegoated for failure in Austin.
That's why I'm asking you to join forces with parents,
community members, and local leaders who demand solutions.
From what I've learned, our schools need a minimum of
the following.
Increase per student allotment and tie it to inflation.
Fully fund all mandates.
Base funding on enrollment and not attendance, reject vouchers that
drain resources from public schools, and ensure recapture funds go
to the state school fund and not our general fund.
But we need more than just the school board support.
We need our city council and businesses to join in
this fight.
That's why I asked the LISD board to join us
and attend some of the upcoming city council meetings and
request their public backing because strong schools create strong communities.
When schools struggle, everyone suffers.
Property values decline, businesses close, crime rates increase, and
major employers look elsewhere for skilled workforce.
Right now, the Texas legislators considering a five billion dollar
increase in school funding, but let's be honest, that's just
a drop in the bucket.
Our schools need at least 9.3 billion to be fully
funded, and we currently have 24 billion in excess in
our school board in our school funding.
We cannot afford to wait another two years for the
next legislative session.
How many schools must close?
How many programs must be cut before Texas becomes the
most undereducated state in the nation?
Our schools are at breaking point, but they are worth
fighting for.
I asked this board to stand with the community in
demanding full funding for public education.
I ask our city leaders to join us in advocating
for policies that strengthen, not weaken, our schools.
And I ask every parent, business owner, and residents to
raise your voice and demand better for our children.
Together, we can change the narrative.
We can expose the true culprit behind our education crisis
and ensure a brighter future for our students, our schools,
and our communities.
It starts here, it starts today, and it starts with
us.
Together we can do this.
Thank you.