Christmas Time's A Coming...

The Christmas Season is upon us! I know that because my wife spent 18 hours straight shopping after Thanksgiving. I also see the smiles on the children's faces as they anticipate the coming of Santa Claus and the holiday decorations that are upon the houses and in the stores. I just can't believe that 2012 is almost at an end. This year has gone by swiftly.

In January 2013 the state's 83rd legislative session will begin. There will be many issues facing our representatives when they convene, and many of these issues will deal directly with public education in Texas. I encourage each of you to educate yourselves about the issues. Don't just rely on the media soundbytes. The decisions that are made in 2013 will have a significant impact upon the future of our children in Texas. Our children deserve a world-class education that prepares them to be successful in the 21st Century.

One of the most significant issues facing the 83rd Legislature is the system of finance for public education in the state. The last session cut funding by $5.4 billion. These cuts had dramatic effects upon school districts across the state, including cuts of approximately $900,000 to the Harleton ISD budget. Here are some key facts about school funding in Texas:

How was Public School funding cut during this biennium by $5.4 Billion?

·       Foundation School Program (FSP) was cut by $4 billion.

·       Eliminated funding for property value and ADA decline.

·       Other program cuts of $1.4 billion included reducing funding for Pre-K, Student Success Initiatives, DATE, ESC’s, Instructional Materials, AP Incentives, and Communities in Schools Programs.

·       Technology Allotment Eliminated

·       Science Lab Funding Eliminated

Other Facts about Public School Finance

·       In 2009, the State supplanted $3 Billion in one-time federal stimulus money into the funding for Public Education, instead of supplementing the Public Education budget.  The State never replaced that $3 Billion in the budget for Public Education.  Instead, they added that money to the “Rainy Day” fund.

·       With reduced funding, Texas will educate an additional 170,000 students during this biennium.  Many of them with special needs or language barriers to overcome. 

·       Accountability standards have increased. (STAAR, EOC, AYP)

·       Transportation Allotments have not been adjusted since 1985. 

·       The majority of school districts will only be funded at 97% of their WADA.  However, we are expected to educate 100% of our WADA.

·       Funding continues to be below 2010 funding levels and the structural deficit has not been addressed.

·       Pre-K is not funded.  Most districts lose money by offering Pre-K.

The last day of school before the holidays will be December 18. We will have Early Release on December 17 & 18. Semester exams will be given on these dates, as well.

During this Holiday Season I hope that you are able to visit with family and friends and reflect upon the blessings we have all been given. I also hope that you will take the time to learn about the issues facing our state and will let your voices be heard by our representatives. Harleton ISD is a great place for our children to learn. If you don't want Austin dictating how your children should be educated and believe that we should have local control over our schools, please let your local officials know your thoughts. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving Holidays Soon!

It will soon be time for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Before we know it, Christmas will be here, as well. This year has really flown by. It seems the older I get the faster the years go by. Why do we find that youth is wasted on the young?

Next week will be the Thanksgiving Holidays for students and staff members. I hope that everyone will take time to reflect upon all of the things for which they find themselves thankful. We have much to consider in this great country of ours. Please enjoy time with your family and friends.

I am going to be writing pretty soon about the vision that we have for education and the future of our children. I invite you to let me know your thoughts about these things and your ideas about the direction of education. We have to prepare our children for an evolving and changing world, and they will require a different skill set than we have had. However, there are qualities that we want our children to possess that are timeless. Let me know your thoughts. We have to work together to help our children reach their fullest potentials.

Important Issues in Education

One of the most important issues facing our Texas public schools today is school funding. The 82nd Legislature cut $5.4 billion from public schools during the last legislative session while the state's student enrollment grew by approximately 160,000 students. At the same time, the state imposed a more rigorous and demanding accountability system. Reluctantly, many school districts were forced to sue the state due to the inequitable and inefficient funding system.

The trial began on October 22. It is expected to last until January or February of 2013. In the meantime, the 83rd Legislature will begin its session in January 2013. All indications are that the legislature will have more money than anticipated. Please call on your representatives to restore the funding cuts to public education. This still does not fund the student enrollment growth, but it is a step in the right direction. I will try to keep you informed as this trial progresses.

Are You Getting the Real Facts?

For several years now we have heard how public schools are failing our kids. We have been told that schools are inefficient money pits that are made up of a bunch of whiners. But, are you getting the "real" story?

This week students around the state are taking a new assessment that was mandated by the Texas Legislature. This new test, entitled STAAR, has been heralded as more in-depth and rigorous. It has been hailed as the new "savior" of our public schools in Texas, and the state's representatives have sat back and patted themselves on the back for doing such a great job. These legislators have increased the standards, changed the testing regulations, and cut funding to education by $5.4 billion and have told the public that schools (trying to meet the state's mandates) should be able to do more with less. All the while, our schools have become the scapegoat for all of our societal "ills." This has been aided, in part, by a series of untruths that have been espoused by certain groups and the media. The fact is that these claims are just not true! You have been handed a "bill of goods," and you need to be aware of the facts.

The following information was gathered by the Texas Association of School Board and taken from the Texas Education Agency's data. The information was compiled and presented by Mary Ann Whiteker, superintendent of Hudson ISD, and includes a comparison of today's education to the past, as well as, common assertions and misperceptions:

■ Public education accounts for greater share of the state budget than in the past:
• 1982 — 31.2 percent
• 2012 — 29.3 percent

■ State appropriations for public education have doubled over the last 10 years:
• 1992-2012 — 13 percent gain
The 13 percent increase has not financed the expanded state mandates, facility needs for enrollment growth, adequate compensation for public school employees.

■ Texas lags behind most states on education spending per student:
• 1992 — Texas ranked 37th
• 2012 — Texas ranked 44th

■ School districts have been hoarding state dollars in fund balance accounts:
• 1992 — 14 percent of general funds in fund balance.
— Texas Education Agency urged districts retain 12 percent — 20 percent
• 2012 — 17 percent of general funds in fund balance
— Half the school districts have adopted deficit budget, fund balance is used to cover the deficit
— Fund balance includes inventory in warehouses, delinquent taxes receivable, as well as money in the bank.
— Fund balance includes funds owed to the district by the state on the last day of the fiscal year

■ The demographics of Texas public schools have undergone significant changes:
Racial/ethnic minority
• 2000 — 56.8 percent
• 2011 — 67 percent
Economically disadvantaged
• 2000 — 49.3 percent
• 2011 — 59 percent
Schools have become the sites for addressing the multitude of social issues as well as the new mandates to implement college ready curriculum for all students:
■ Drug and alcohol abuse education
■ Parenting
■ Character education
■ Special education
■ Computer education
■ Multicultural/ethnic education
■ Bilingual education
■ Teen pregnancy awareness
■ Early childhood
■ After-school programs
■ Alternative education
■ Stranger/danger education
■ Antismoking education
■ Sexual abuse prevention
■ Expanded health and psychological services
■ Child abuse monitoring
■ Conflict resolution and peer mediation
■ HIV/AIDS education
■ CPR training
■ Inclusion
■ Distance learning
■ School to Work Programs
■ Post secondary options
■ Concurrent enrollment options
■ Gifted and Talented
■ At risk programs
■ Dropout prevention
■ Homeless education
■ Gang education
■ Bus safety
■ No child Left Behind
■ Bully prevention
■ Anti-harassment
■ Personal financial literacy
■ Health and wellness
■ Post secondary financial aid assistance
■ Test prep for standardized testing
AND
■ Academics
 This list is not all inclusive!

Schools have been mandated to “make bricks without straw!” All of the above issues have value; however, resources are needed to begin addressing the many academic challenges facing public education, not to mention the social problems. Schools can’t do it alone! Schools can’t do it without resources!

How can you make a difference? Vote! Your voice needs to be heard. If you want a better world and a world-class education for your children, you need to let Austin know that is the priority. This is especially important in the upcoming Primary Elections. If you don't go to the polls for the Primaries, you may very well not have a voice in who represents you because a majority of the elections in the state are determined by the Primary vote.

I am a product of Texas public schools, as many of you are. They are staffed by hard-working and caring adults who want to take your children beyond imagination. Schools are not the problem. In fact, Local Control has deteriorated to such an extent that it is practically none existent, replaced by legislative mandate. We have to join together to fight for the future of our great State. We have to let everyone know that the children, our future, is the top priority!

Spring is Near

I would like to welcome everyone back from Spring Break. I hope that each of you were able to find some time for rest and relaxation. I also hope that you were able to spend some time with family and friends.

This is the beginning of a really busy time for school, as well as, the students and parents. We have many activities taking place, and it often seems like we are meeting ourselves coming and going. However, it happens like this every year, and we always make it through. This year will be no different. Think of it as the opportunities that you get to spend time with your children and the other fine folks from the Harleton community.

Please remember that the new testing system will begin soon. The STAAR test will take the place of TAKS, and the state tells us that it will be much more rigorous for the students. If you haven't done so, I would suggest that you visit the Texas Education Agency website and take a look at the sample questions from the new exams. I think you will be greatly surprised. Also, keep in mind that these tests will have a time limit. Students will have 4 hours to finish their exams. Although the tests will be more difficult, I have faith in our students and teachers, and I believe that they will continue to succeed as they have in the past.

Once again, I welcome you back and hope you have a wonderful Spring.

Does Money Matter in Education?

It's the question that we're all concerned about. If you have listened to the news lately, it would seem that schools are doing a very poor job of handling money, and the term "efficiency" it utilized by many politicians. I agree. Schools, as well as all aspects of our economy, should be as efficient as possible, but what these critics seems to forget is the numerous mandates that have been handed to schools from the state  and federal levels that require an increase in costs to schools. For example, let's look at the new testing requirements, called STAAR and End-of-Course (EOC) exams. Schools now have 45 days of testing required by the state. It would be nice if schools could just administer the test and be done with it, but that is not the case. The state requires that a plethora of rules be followed during these exams, often requiring schools to hire additional personnel to accommodate these rules. On top of that each campus must assign a Campus Testing Coordinator, and the district must assign a District Testing Coordinator. Although we may utilize an existing personnel member, these duties take away from what that employee was hired to do in the first place.

In a recent research study conducted by the Shanker Institute, it was concluded that money does in fact play a part in quality of education. In fact, in the majority of schools that consistently receive the highest achievement, these schools spend more per student. Here is one sentence from the study, "In short, money matters, resources that cost money matter, and more equitable distribution of school funding can improve outcomes. Policymakers would be well-advised to rely on high-quality research to guide the critical choices they make regarding school finance."
 
Texas State Representative Scott Hochberg recently stated, during a meeting of the Public Education Committee, that money seemed to have a direct correlation to results and performance on the statewide assessments. The following table describes the differences in spending per student and tax rates.

Rating	Spending	Tax Rates
Exemplary	$6,580	Lowest Rate
Recognized	$5,751
Acceptable	$5,662
Unacceptable	$5,538	Highest Rate

In other words, districts that are Exemplary tend to spend more money per student and have lower tax rates. 

As one of the lowest funded districts with one of the highest tax rates in our area, you should be concerned as a taxpayer and a parent. Money does matter, and the students of Harleton ISD deserve as much as the children down the road.

Commissioner's Speech

Last week I was in Austin attending the Texas Association of School Administrator's Mid-winter Conference. While there I heard a speech given by the Commissioner for Education and head of the Texas Education Agency, Robert Scott. Mr. Scott gave a very frank speech during which he stated that he felt the assessment and accountability system in Texas has become a perversion of what it was intended to be, and he felt that we would soon see a change in the way that Texas tests students. This would be great news for teachers and students in Texas. We don't want to stop holding our schools accountable, but we don't need to over test students either. The future should be interesting.

Happy 2012!

Welcome back and Happy New Year! I wish all of you a wonderful 2012 full of joy and peace. We at Harleton ISD are looking forward to a great year, and we are excited about the possibilities that the new year holds. Although we will be faced with many challenges in the upcoming year, including more funding cuts, we are going to overcome these obstacles because we have too important a job to do, educating the future of our state and nation. Our children are our greatest asset, and we can not afford to limit their opportunities or possibilities. If we do, I fear that we will see the consequences of our actions in the faces of our grandchildren.

I believe 2012 will be a great year for Harleton ISD, and I hope and pray that we will see economic improvements in the state and nation. Most of all, I ask for your help in insuring that we work together as a team to provide the best education possible for your children. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child's lives.