Dr. Annette Griffin Superintendent of Schools January 2006 en Español

Texas School Finance
In a 7–1 opinion, the Texas Supreme Court on Nov. 22, 2005, struck down the current school finance system.  The court gave the Texas Legislature until June 1, 2006, to fix the system.
In its ruling, the court said that the current system had evolved into an unconstitutional state property tax.  C-FB ISD along with more than two-thirds of Texas school districts are taxing at or very near the maximum tax rate of $1.50.  Your school district has been at the maximum tax rate for five years.

The court's ruling on the state property tax means that the Texas Legislature must build financial capacity into the school funding system so that districts can hire quality teachers and provide the type of programming that the C-FB ISD community demands as well as other communities across our state.

One area that the court did not rule in favor of the school district plaintiffs was the question of “adequacy."  The court concluded that the system is “adequate" now, but it did reserve the right to revisit the “adequacy" issue in the future.  In doing so, the court rejected the state’s claim that the adequacy of the educational system is a “political question" not subject to judicial review.   
You can read the complete “School Finance Orders and Opinions" of the Texas Supreme Court by going to the court’s website, which is http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/.

The financing of Texas public schools is extremely complex, and it is vital that C-FB ISD citizens become knowledgeable not only about the total school finance system but also the district's financial picture.  Because C-FB ISD is at the $1.50 cap for maintenance and operating (M&0) tax rate, the district will continue to be forced to change its instructional program.  The changes will not be made because they are the best for students but to balance the budget.

Public schools can prepare all students for this Twenty-first Century world with adequate financial resources. As you communicate to your state elected officials, I encourage you ask them to develop a state school finance system that

• has the capacity to grow as the state’s student population grows and changes,
• reflects the actual costs of educating all students, including the growing number of English Language Learners and other high-cost students to meet state and federal performance standards, and
• preserves local control by individual communities over their public schools.

As of the writing of this column, Governor Rick Perry has not called a special session for the Texas Legislature regarding the school finance system.  I encourage you stay informed about the work of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives through the local news media and by checking the Texas Legislature Online website, http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ and Governor Perry’s website, http://www.governor.state.tx.us/.

Annual Gently Used Book Sale
The Fifth Annual Gently Used Book Sale not only raises funds for the C-FB ISD Educational Foundation and Council of PTAs, but it also provides all types of books at great prices.  Scheduled for February 16-19, the sale will be held at the Trinity Valley Shopping Center, 2660 North Josey Lane (Josey Lane @ the George Bush Turnpike) in Carrollton.

I hope that you will plan to attend, but these two groups need your help right now.  The Gently Used Book Sale Committee needs all kinds of books to make the sale a huge success.  Each school as well as the Administration Building is serving as a drop-off point.   Collection boxes are usually located near the school’s main office. You may also drop off books at the Book Sale location on these dates:

• Sundays: Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29; Feb.  5, 12 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesdays: Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31; Feb. 7, 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursdays: Jan. 12, 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 If your business or organization is interested in conducting a drive for the sale, please call the Educational Foundation Office at 972-968-6188.

Although the event’s revenues raises funds for Educational Foundation grants and scholarships and PTA projects, including grants to the High School Post Proms, the sale has a second purpose to get books into the hands of children and families.  Last year, the volunteers shared with me many heart-warming stories about watching children run to “their books" at the sale.

The Foundation and the Council of PTAs are also seeking sponsors for the Book Sale.  In-kind sponsorships help the organizations defray costs which boost the revenues and monetary donations help the two organization raise additional funds to benefit district math and science initiatives.  Financial contributions are tax deductible as defined by the IRS Revenue Code because the Foundation and the Council of PTAs are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.  Any pledge or contribution may be sent to the C-FB ISD Educational Foundation, P. O. Box 115186, Carrollton, TX 75011.

Thank you, C-FB ISD Educational Foundation and the Council of PTAs for your support because you are helping fulfill the dreams of our students – a quality education.  

School Board Recognition Month
As C-FB ISD educators and local citizens, we join with the state of Texas in observing January as School Board Recognition Month.  Ordinary citizens serving as School Board members help the Texas public school system achieve the goal of making it the best in the country.  Locally, the C-FB ISD Board of Trustees provides the governance and policies to help our school district be a leader in public education not only in Texas but in the United States.

I salute the seven individuals who serve as the elected representatives of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District.  Your current School Board members are John Tepper, president; Nancy Strickland, vice president; Lynn Chaffin, secretary; James Goode, assistant secretary; Robert Harris, member; Pam Odino, member; Nancy Cline, member.

The seven individuals who serve as the C-FB ISD Board of Trustees volunteer hundreds of hours.  They expend immeasurable energy to ensure that our schools are providing the best educational programming possible for the children of our community.  However, the time and energy given is worthwhile when they join with students, parents and educators to celebrate our many successes in academics, athletics and fine arts.  Our seven School Board members are among the district’s most enthusiastic cheerleaders.

As we begin the year 2006, I know that the year is brimming with opportunities, but thanks to past educational and community leaders, parents and students, today’s team has a  rich legacy to follow.  Today’s educational team and community will combine that knowledge with their tools and talents to create a vision that will take C-FB ISD into the year 2006 and beyond.

Report Archive
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005