C-FB ISD

Superintendent's Column
	Dr. Annette Griffin Superintendent of Schools
The overall Texas school finance system is one of the most serious and complex issues facing the 79th State Legislature. In mid-January, Governor Rick Perry declared the Texas school finance system an emergency item for this legislative session. This is good news because the designation allows the lawmakers to work immediately on the school finance issue. Since school finance is such a critical issue for our school district, I urge you to 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 . I also encourage you to share your thoughts about school finance with your Texas senator and representative. If you are unsure who represents your neighborhood, you can also find that information on the Texas Legislature Online website. Over the last two years, C-FB ISD has made some tough financial decisions that affect the education of our students. Because C-FB ISD is at the $1.50 cap for maintenance and operating (M&0) tax rate, the district has been forced to change its instructional program not to increase student achievement but to balance the budget. C-FB ISD is not alone in making these tough decisions. Out of about 1,045 school districts, about 700 have reached or are approaching the $1.50 M&O limit. The state has directed additional funds toward public education, but the amount has not kept up with the true costs of educating a diverse student population and an increased student enrollment. In the 2003-04 school year, the state's share of total revenue to public education fell to 38 percent and is projected to be less than 36 percent for the 2004-2005 school year. 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. C-FB ISD and other Texas public systems are seeing more and more students who need extra assistance to meet the high performance standards set by our state and federal governments. For example, almost 50 different languages are spoken by C-FB ISD students and families, and many who come to our district have not had formal education in their home country. In the last 10 years, the percentage of English Language Learners (ELL) has almost doubled from 12.5% to 23.9%. C-FB ISD faculty and staff know that these students can be successful but they need additional time and support. We also realize that the communication between their families and the schools is hampered by language and cultural barriers. C-FB ISD has demonstrated the ability to radically improve the performance of all students on rigorous state standards. While C-FB ISD is making tough financial decisions, we must continue to pressure the State of Texas to make changes in the school finance system. Those of us who believe in public education must rally together and demand that our state elected officials adequately fund public education. I believe that we have the vision and the will to ensure continued strong student achievement – but success has a price.

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1445 North Perry Road • Carrollton, Tx 75006
972-466-6100