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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            Contact: Gabriel J. Valenzuela

February 28, 2003                                                                               (512) 463-0690

Rep. Truitt Presents School Finance Fix

AUSTIN, TX -- Yesterday, State Representative Vicki Truitt (R-Keller) presented House Bill 717 to the House Committee on Public Education.  The bill would reform the formula for the public school finance system.

The proposed legislation would update a component of the school finance formula, known as the cost of education index (CEI), which has not been updated in over a decade.  The CEI is a multiplier in determining the adjusted allotment a school district will get from the state per student or the amount of recapture a property-wealthy district will pay, is supposed to account for uncontrollable cost variations, particularly regional variations in the salaries that teachers demand. 

Since the CEI is outdated, some districts in high-cost areas, particularly inner-city and suburban areas, are at a disadvantage in competing for teachers.  The CEI determines the distribution of about thirteen percent of state aid, totaling more than $1.25 billion per year.

“We are obligated to educate our young constituents to ensure opportunity and hope for their future and that of Texas,” Representative Truitt stated.  “As we formulate ideas for a new or improved method of school finance, we need to consider real cost factors.”

In addition to updating the CEI to reflect current costs, the bill would provide for a continual revision of the formula to keep it updated.  The CEI would utilize a rolling three-year average of the costs of teacher salaries and benefits.

 “It is quite logical to reflect the very real regional cost variations in our school funding formula,” Truitt added.  “Whether this measure is integrated into the current formula or rolled into a brand new funding formula, it’s good for public education.”

To follow the progress of this bill, interested individuals  can log onto the legislature’s web-site at www.capitol.state.tx.us  or call the Texas Legislative Reference Library’s toll-free hotline at 877-824-7038 or 512-463-2182. The hotline will be open during the legislative session from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with extended hours if either chamber is convened.  You can also visit the Legislature’s website to hear an archived broadcast of the committee hearing.