Legislative Liaisons
The CISD Board of Trustees named Craig Rothmeier & Sue Armstrong as Legislative Liaisons for the district.
These two local Trustees will be working with other local school districts, the
Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), and state legislators, locally and in Austin, to ensure the interests of the district are represented during the legislative process.
Select from the following:
Expenditure Reduction Update
The Carroll Independent School District is in the middle of a multi-year Expenditure Reduction (ER) process. Information about the district's financial situation is available, along with a public survey for feedback on the website link below.
Expenditure Reduction Process Website
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Contacting Your Representatives
Citizens interested in contacting their state legislators, are encouraged to do so.
Representing Carroll ISD:
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School Finance Facts
- CISD does not receive facilities funding or a transportation allotment from the State of Texas
- K-12 public school districts do not receive the benefit of rising property values like the hospital districts, cities and junior college districts do. Instead of going to your children's education, that money goes to the state.
- Carroll ISD's state funding is based on student enrollment funded at 2006-2007 levels - we receive $5,599 per student
- The state's average expenditure per student is $7,818
- Robin Hood is not dead; this year, Carroll ISD will surrender nearly $10 million in local property taxes; our district has paid more than $100 million out in Robin Hood funds since the 2001-2002 school year
- Texas spends the 7th least of all states on education per student
- Texas ranks #50 in the nation with adults who have a high school diploma
- Texas is one of only two states that has not joined in the effort known as Common Core, whose goal is to establish more uniform expectations for the nation's students, in contrast to the wide variations in academic standards that exist among the states today.
- The State of Texas expects an even greater budget shortfall for the next legislative session. Sales tax collections are down across the state
- The only new money put into public education K-12 last Legislative Session was the $1.9 billion federal stimulus money that will expire in another year
- Per Senator Florence Shapiro, the next education issue will be "virtual schools"
- Of the 1,100 school districts in Texas, about 800 of them have fewer than 1,000 students K-12
- Of the 1,100 school districts in Texas, only about 100 are Chapter 41 districts that pay into the Robin Hood system
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TASB Legislative Update
July 1, 2009
The 81st Texas Legislative Session adjourned with only a temporary fix in the area of school finance and much still up in the air about how legislation will directly affect Carroll ISD. A total of 6,000 bills were filed during the session - about 1,400 passed in the House and Senate. Governor Rick Perry did veto 38 bills, most notably HB 130 regarding full-day prekindergarten. For more details about the Governor's vetoes, click here.
Along with changes in funding and accountability there was some other good news:
- the Governor's 65 percent rule was abolished. This rule required schools districts to spend at least 65 percent of their operating budgets on instructional-related expenditures, which sounds good in theory and is support by most districts, but didn't take into account rising fuel, utility and food costs or expenditures for support positions necessary for district operations.
- the Higher Education Board will NOT develop a uniform GPA (Grade Point Average) calculation;
- the top 10 percent rule was changed - the change only affects the University of Texas - up to 75 percent of the freshman class for top 10 percent students based on last year's enrollment, so not much changed;
- districts do not have to put seatbelts on buses unless they are reimbursed for these costs by the state;
- districts do not have to reduce energy consumption by five percent per year but must have a long-range energy plan, which CISD does;
- no private school voucher bills were passed plus the state budget has language that prohibits state funds from being used for vouchers;
- districts are no longer required to do the state-mandated bus evacuation drills each semester, though CISD does have a bus rider's safety manual and conducts annual driver training;
- State Board of Education meetings are not required to be broadcast over the internet;
- school districts are no longer allowed to have minimum grade policies;
- districts can use textbook funds for electronic media (the Commisioner of Education will create a list of electronic materials);
- districts do NOT have to name superintendent finalists;
- the Legislature did NOT change or increase the number of charter schools; and
- the state no longer requires a Health, Speech or Technology class as a graduation requirement. They instead want to provide more opportunities for students to take electives.
For more information, read the latest Texas Association of School Board's Legislative Coverage
Carroll School Board Adopts
2009 Legislative Platform
Carroll Independent School District's mission is to provide a careing and creative learning environment that promotes excellence, fosters integrity and encourages each student to reach his or her academic, extracurricular, and social potential.
As the elected School Board, we believe in and support the importance of accountability, adequate funding and local control. We join other Texas school boards and districts with a united voice on behalf of the children of our state.
Carroll ISD supports ongoing efforts to ensure a consistent accountability system that measures student academic growth over time.
In support of this priority, we encourage the following:
· A less complicated system that aligns with national accountability standards and reduces testing requirements;
· A rating system based on mutually agreed upon, multiple measurements that takes individual student growth into account over a specified period of time;
· Consideration for high-performing students and campuses with little room to chart annual growth;
· Freedom and flexibility through state waivers for those districts who continue to meet the state’s top academic standards; and
· The addition of a distinguished tier in the state’s accountability rating system, allowing those districts and campuses who earn that distinction the opportunity to maintain their top rating for a three-year period;
Finance
Carroll ISD supports ongoing efforts to ensure that the school finance system adequately provides resources for all Texas school children, while still allowing local districts the opportunity to provide enrichment opportunities to promote academic rigor in their communities.
In support of this priority, we encourage the following:
· A capacity adjustment to accommodate teacher and other employee salary increases, increased costs of education and legislative mandates not adjusted for since the 2005-06 and 2006-07 fiscal years;
· Reinstatement of formula-driven funding versus static revenue per WADA to better accommodate changes in enrollment growth, student populations, increased performance expectations and local property values;
· Equalized state funding that eliminates district-to-district discrepancies;
· Broadening of the definition of the 65 Percent Rule’s “instruction-related costs” to include unaccounted costs necessary to deliver a quality instructional program;
· Relief for Chapter 41 school districts restricted by the state’s M&O rate cap;
· The return of revenues generated through annual property value growth back to the local school districts;
· Relief from unfunded Legislative mandates as outlined by the Texas Association of School Boards;
· An increase in high school allotment monies along with a continued effort to align and evaluate these programs for effectiveness;
· An allowance for transportation allocations in Chapter 41 district funding along with an update of the transportation formula;
· The addition of an inflationary index that takes into account the cost of educating a child, such as rising fuel, utility and personnel expenses; and
· The continuation of the current three-class payment structure to public school districts, while opposing efforts to initiate a “smoothing effect” payment system that does not respond to the timing of cash flow needs per district.
Local Control
Carroll ISD supports ongoing efforts to ensure that locally elected School Board Trustees are given the authority to make decisions that directly affect the constituents and children they serve.
In support of this priority, we encourage the following:
· Removal of restrictions in the call dates for school bond elections;
· Freedom for local districts to make budget decisions on instructional spending based on their community’s expectations and standards for academic rigor;
· Returning tax levy authority to the local elected officials versus costly and difficult to explain M&O rollback elections; and
· Flexibility and freedom in making school calendar decisions.
Reprint Courtesy of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Posted on Sun, Jan. 11, 2009
CITIZEN'S TOOLBOX: Keeping up with legislation and your lawmakers
As Texas’ 81st legislative session begins this week, local governments and school districts have their wish lists in hand and hope that state lawmakers will consider their issues. Here’s a look at some key issues they will be watching closely:
Transportation
A coalition of Metroplex cities including Fort Worth, Arlington and Dallas wants the Legislature to help cities raise the money needed to get a regional rail system off the ground. Cities are asking lawmakers in Austin to consider different options to raise the money, including increasing vehicle registration fees and raising gas and property taxes. Every funding mechanism would require approval by the voters it affects.
Dallas hopes to get more funding for its streetcar systems.
Barnett Shale
More than 20 cities, including Fort Worth, Southlake, Euless and Mansfield, have adopted resolutions calling on the Legislature to give local governments some oversight over natural gas pipeline routes. Under Texas law, companies that build those lines have the same right to condemn private property as any other utility.
Fort Worth is calling on the Legislature to increase the Texas Railroad Commission’s funding so the state agency can pay for more inspections of gas wells and pipelines.
Fort Worth hopes for a change in the state law that limits how cities can invest revenue from gas lease bonuses and royalties. The current law limits returns to 3 percent or 4 percent annually.
Schools
Officials with several area school districts, including Fort Worth, Arlington and Birdville, say their priority is seeing lawmakers update the state’s formula for school funding to reflect increasing expenses, such as utilities and gas. Wealthier districts are especially concerned that too much of their funding — millions of dollars in some cases — is being rerouted to poorer districts.
Dallas is pushing for approval to establish a University of Texas law school at its Old Municipal Building downtown as well as funding to build a second building for the school’s campus.
The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district wants to see state law require that liquor stores be at least 1,000 feet from public schools.
Quality of life
Fort Worth is backing mandatory sentencing for prostitution occurring within 1,000 feet of residences, churches, schools, day-care facilities, public parks, motels, hotels, sexually oriented businesses or premises licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
Several municipalities hope to see a statewide smoking ban passed this session. Many bar and restaurant owners complain that being in a city with a ban puts them at a competitive disadvantage to establishments in cities that still allow smoking.
Local governments will be watching whether bills giving cities the power to regulate specific types of dogs gain traction. If such a proposal becomes law, cities may consider adopting ordinances restricting or banning certain types of dogs seen as aggressive, such as pit bulls.
Both Fort Worth and Dallas want to see the state create more incentives for filmmakers and media companies to make films in Texas.
How to contact your legislators
Area state representatives
District 90: Lon Burnam — 1067 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104, 817-924-1997, Fax: 817-924-6788; Capitol: Room GW.8, Capitol Building, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0740, Fax: 512-463-1075
District 91: Kelly Hancock — P.O. Box 185096, Fort Worth, TX 76181, 817-590-9280, Fax: 817-590-9281; Capitol: Room E1.406, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0599
District 92: Todd Smith — 1608 Airport Freeway, Bedford, TX 76022, 817-283-3131, Fax: 817-283-0003; Capitol: Room GW.6, Capitol Building, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0522, Fax: 512-463-9529
District 93: Paula Pierson — 1201 N. Watson Rd., Arlington, TX 76006; 817-385-4786, Fax: 817-385-4718; Capitol: Room E2.210, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701; 512-463-0562, Fax: 512-474-2147
District 94: Diane Patrick — 318 Main St., Suite 102, Arlington, TX 76010; Capitol: Room E2.412, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0624, Fax: 512-463-8386
District 95: Marc Veasey — TECH Fort Worth Building, Fort Worth, TX 76104, 817-339-1430, Fax: 817-339-9352; Capitol: Room E1.306, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0716, Fax: 512-463-1516
District 96: Chris Turner — Room E2.402, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0374
District 97: Mark Shelton — 512-463-0608
District 98: Vicki Truitt — 1256 Main St., Suite 248, Southlake, TX 76092, 817-488-4098, Fax: 817-488-4099; Capitol: Room GW.18, Capitol Building, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0690, Fax: 512-477-5770
District 99: Charlie Geren — 1011 Roberts Cutoff, River Oaks, TX 76114, 817-738-8333, Fax: 817-738-8362; Capitol: Room E2.308, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0610, Fax: 512-463-8310
District 9: Chris Harris — 2001 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 150, Arlington, TX 76006, 817-461-9109, Fax: 817-469-9652; Capitol: The Honorable Chris Harris, P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711, 512-463-0109, Fax: 512-463-7003
District 10: Wendy Davis — Room E1.608, Capitol Extension, Austin, TX 78701, 512-463-0110
District 12: Jane Nelson — 1235 S. Main St., Suite 280, Grapevine, TX 76051, 817-424-3446; Capitol: The Honorable Jane Nelson, P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711, 512-463-0112, Fax: 512-463-0923
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TASB was created in 1949, as a voluntary, nonprofit, statewide educational association that serves and represents local Texas school districts. TASB's membership includes all 1,036 Texas school districts, 20 regional education service centers, 50 junior colleges, 37 tax appraisal districts, and 149 educational cooperatives.
The following Cornerstone Principles guide TASB's Advocacy Agenda & organizational conduct.
o Excellence in student achievement for all Texas students
o Locally governed and locally controlled public schools
o Rigorous accountability for academic progress
o Adequate funding levels to provide exceptional education programs
o Efficient and effective school management
o Working with parents to create optimal opportunities for each child
TASB's School Board Advocacy Network is an effort to enhance local school boards’ presence in the legislative process. The Network includes at least one legislative liaison representing every school district in Texas. This proactive strategy will enable more TASB members to become well-informed and effective advocates for public education.
Board Members / Legislative Update
EXCELLENCE