2 weeks Ago
AUSTIN, Texas — On Wednesday, the Texas House initially passed House Bill 2 - a sweeping $8 billion school funding bill that would raise the base amount of money public schools receive for each student, known as the "basic allotment." The bill initially passed the Texas House on a 144-4 vote. HB 2 would increase the basic allotment by several hundred dollars.
Under HB 2, the allotment would be tied to property value growth, meaning it would automatically increase every two years. Of the total allotment, 40% would go to salaries for school staff, with higher salary increases going to teachers with more than a decade of experience. Along with raising the basic allotment, it would also increase teacher salaries from anywhere between $3,500 to $7,000, limit the number of teachers without formal training and overhaul how Texas funds special education.
The basic allotment has not been increased since 2019, and many Texas school district leaders have said an increased allotment would offer them flexibility to address campus needs. Districts also use the money to pay for essential goods and services. "HB 2 represents a thoughtful, student centered investment in public education," State Rep.
Brad Buckley (R-Salado), the bill's author, said. "It provides teacher support and substantial investment in special education and other important services that we need in our public schools, all while ensuring district flexibility is still provides substantially for local control." Multiple lawmakers proposed amendments to increase the basic allotment to a level that keeps up with inflation, but each amendment was rejected.
Now that it has initially passed the House, HB 2 will need to be passed one more time before it goes to the Senate, which has already passed several of its own school funding bills , although none of which increase the basic allotment. Instead, the Senate passed a bill that would boost the Teacher Incentive Program and increase teacher pay..
