In what has been dubbed the “Texas Two Step,” House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 2 were both approved in a matter of hours on the House floor late Wednesday, April 16, and after midnight on Thursday, April 17.
An overwhelming House majority of 144-4 approved HB2, which focuses primarily on basic allotment and teacher pay raises for Texas schools. SB2, also known as the school voucher bill, provides school choice for Texas families.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) said, “The Texas House today proudly passed our ‘Texas Two Step’ plan to transform education by expanding educational options and investing historic new funding into classrooms across our state.”
Texas is one of six states where public schools receive funding based on attendance. This funding is also known as basic allotment, which with the passing of HB2, will now not only see a significant increase, but it will also be adjusted every two years to keep up with inflation.
Coupland, Hutto and Taylor Independent School District superintendents Earl Parcell, Jeni Neatherlin and Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen say they’re encouraged to see this investment in public education.
Neatherlin and Garcia-Edwardsen both agreed that the basic allotment has the potential to bring funding into their districts that would better support their students, educators and staff.
“This doesn’t quite make us whole, but it’s a great start,” Neatherlin said.
Parcell added, “There have been no basic allotment increases since 2019, so something is definitely better than nothing.”
Stephen Brosch, superintendent of Granger Independent School District, said early estimated projections provided to the district indicate a very promising financial number for Granger ISD moving forward. Some school districts may see their annual funding almost double over the next two years.
With this increase in funding, 40% is allotted to teacher and staff salaries. Most area school districts have recently discussed the need for teacher and staff pay raises but were unsure how their districts could afford it and where those funds might come from. With HB2, teacher salaries could increase anywhere between $3,500 and $7,000 with the initial focus being placed on teachers with more than 10 years’ experience in the classroom.
Thrall ISD school board president Bryan Holubec said, “HB2 is a long overdue step in the right direction for school funding. It’s far from being the historic effort that the legislative leaders have described it as being, but it does move us in the right direction, and for that we are grateful.”
Holubec pointed out that there are still legislative steps the HB2 needs to get through before the final details are official, which are also concerns for Garcia-Edwardsen, Neatherlin and Brosch.
Garcia-Edwardsen and Neatherlin each mentioned that while the final version of HB2 has yet to be determined, their respective districts will be preparing for potential implementation in a way that is fiscally responsible and focused on the long-term benefits of students, staff and broader school community.
Brosch hopes HB2 will remain intact as it makes its way through the Senate for consideration and is not disassembled through the Senate’s amendment process.
“The house getting HB2 through was wonderful, however…the fight for HB2 is far from over and we must ensure that our Senate members hear how much of a priority this is,” Brosch said.
Tommy Hooker, Thrall ISD superintendent, echoed these sentiments and added his thanks to Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Salado) for working with public schools and professional organizations, listening to his constituents and taking the necessary action to get HB2 to the finish line.
“It is for the future of public education, and in Thrall ISD, our community is counting on our schools to do an amazing job,” Hooker said.
Educators, including Hooker, are not as excited about the SB2 bill, which Rep. Buckley promotes.
Buckley said, “Senate Bill 2 paves the way for every Texas kid to thrive in the educational environment that will serve them best. Parents should have every tool in the toolbox to make decisions for their child’s education, and Senate Bill 2 gives them that.”
Hooker and Brosch have previously voiced their concerns about the program with both stressing the need for accountability. Hooker recommends safeguards be implemented to make sure there’s accountability with the public use of taxpayers’ funds.
Brosch said, “There is some slight disappointment amongst fellow colleagues as SB2 has passed and I feel has, and will, face major compliance and equitable measures for Texas education moving forward.”
Gov. Greg Abbott, however, has stated as soon as the bill reaches his desk he will sign it into law. “For the first time in Texas history, our state has passed a universal school choice bill out of both chambers in the Texas Legislature,” said Abbott. “This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children. … Now, with historic school choice combined with record public education funding, Texas is on track to lead the nation in education."
