An Austin based think tank believes the state can better spend the $3.7-billion in proposed Texas Teacher raises a bit differently.
The State Senate Finance Committee passed SB3 which if given final approval would give Texas teachers a $5000 raise. But the Center for Public Policy Priorities’ Chandra Villanueva told senators, instead of giving that money directly to teachers; they should let local school districts take control of the funds.
“[Texas has] kept base level funding completely stagnant for four years straight. Which has prevented school districts to have the ability to pay all of their personnel a living wage.” Villanueva continued, “So I think that there needs to be alot done to improve school finance and improving base level funding is probably the first place to start.” She added the effects of those $5000 per teacher raises would be diminished with inflation.
She argued districts could use those funds in the best ways they saw fit, believing they would have a better understanding of where funds should be allocated. Some lawmakers fear the money would just go to administration costs, which they say has seen more raises in recent time than classroom teachers.
During the debate over SB3 the Texas Senate Finance Committee argued with opposing groups, who in the end relented and said they would support the $5000 teacher pay raise if that was all that could be done. But education groups and unions like Education Austin still demanding more for all district employees. Education Austin’s Ken Zeriffis said he doesn’t believe that is the best the state can come up with.
He said it’s either a lie or pathetic, and added, the fight is not over yet, as the house will still need to take a crack at it as well. He believes with the recent political shifts in the Texas house, more workers in the Texas Education system (like bus drivers, school staffers and janitors) could see some economic benefits.
(Photo:Shutterstock/Monkey Business Images )
