Legislative Priorities
Pflugerville ISD Legislative Priorities
The Pflugerville Independent School District believes public education is the cornerstone of our society. PfISD provides a place where students of all backgrounds and abilities are given the opportunity to grow and learn. The District believes local control of schools and school programs is essential to the success of public schools across the state.
The education of our students is a partnership between PfISD and the communities we serve. Advocate for future generations by becoming well-versed in PfISD's Legislative Priorities and Resolutions and sharing your view with your legislators.
Based on research conducted by the State Comptroller Office, Pflugerville ISD has been identified as a district having both high student achievement and low operation costs. District leadership is committed to working with our state legislators in an effort to create an equitable and fiscally responsible school funding system to benefit PfISD and all Texas school children.
On Thursday, June 6, 2024, the Pflugerville ISD Board of Trustees approved 4 Resolutions to send to the Texas Association of School Boards calling on action from the Texas State Legislature in 4 areas: Public Education Basic Allotment, Moving to Enrollment-based funding rather than Attendance-based funding, full funding for Safety and Security Measures, and full funding for Special Education Services.
2024 PfISD Legislative Resolutions
- Basic Allotment Resolution
- Enrollment vs ADA Funding Resolution
- Safety Funding Resolution
- Special Education Resolution
Basic Allotment Resolution
Resolution Calling on the State of Texas to Raise the Basic Allotment for Public Education
WHEREAS, the Pflugerville Independent School District (PfISD) Board of Trustees is committed to providing a high-quality education for all students within the district;
WHEREAS, the basic allotment is a key component of the state funding model for public schools in Texas;
WHEREAS, increasing the basic allotment helps districts keep up with rising costs in education, including salaries, resources, and student programs, which is crucial for maintaining the quality of education and addressing diverse student needs;
WHEREAS, the basic allotment has not been increased to address inflation, leaving school districts to contend with rising costs without corresponding increases in state funding;
WHEREAS, an inflationary increase in the basic allotment would assist school districts in maintaining operations and ensuring that students receive the resources and support they need to succeed;
WHEREAS, a large number of districts have maximized state aid through accessing all available golden and copper pennies, making an increase in the basic allotment the only viable means by which additional revenue for operations can be generated;
WHEREAS, each $50 increase in the basic allotment nets Pflugerville ISD over $1.5 million more in state aid, which is vital for addressing the district's financial needs;
WHEREAS, given PfISD’s estimated $7 million deficit for 2024-25, an increase of at least $250 in the basic allotment is necessary to help close this funding gap and ensure the district can continue to provide essential educational services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees calls upon the Texas State Legislature and the Texas Education Agency to raise the basic allotment for public education by at least $250;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board urges the State to consider the impact of inflation on school districts and the necessity of an increased basic allotment to ensure equitable access to high-quality education for every child in Texas;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to the Governor of Texas, the Texas Commissioner of Education, and all members of the Texas Legislature to advocate for the necessary increase in the basic allotment;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees will continue to collaborate with other school districts, educational organizations, and community stakeholders to promote and support this critical increase in funding.
Adopted this 6th day of June, 2024, by the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees.
Enrollment vs ADA Funding Resolution
Resolution Calling on the State of Texas to Change its Funding Model from Attendance-Based to Enrollment-Based for Public Education
WHEREAS, the Pflugerville Independent School District (PfISD) Board of Trustees is committed to providing a high-quality education for all students within the district;
WHEREAS, the current funding model for public education in the State of Texas is based on average daily student attendance rather than average daily student enrollment;
WHEREAS, an attendance-based funding model disproportionately affects school districts with higher absenteeism due to health, socio-economic, and other factors beyond the control of schools;
WHEREAS, this model creates funding instability and unpredictability, complicating the budgeting process and long-term financial planning for school districts;
WHEREAS, an average daily enrollment-based funding model would provide more consistent and reliable funding, allowing districts to better meet the educational needs of all enrolled students, regardless of their attendance patterns;
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges of the attendance-based funding model, highlighting the need for a more stable and equitable approach to funding public education;
WHEREAS, numerous studies and educational experts recommend moving towards an average daily enrollment-based funding model to ensure equitable distribution of resources and to better support student learning outcomes;
WHEREAS, there are 44 states and the District of Columbia that use enrollment to count students for determining funding allocations, while only 6 states (California, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas) use attendance to count students for funding purposes.
WHEREAS, neighboring states have successfully implemented enrollment-based funding models, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of such a system;
WHEREAS, for Pflugerville ISD, being funded on average daily enrollment in lieu of average daily attendance would result in at least $16,000,000 more in state aid, which could be used to balance the budget while providing additional pay for teachers and staff;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees calls upon the Texas State Legislature and the Texas Education Agency to amend the current public education funding model from average daily attendance-based to average daily enrollment-based;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board urges the State to consider the diverse needs and circumstances of all students and school districts, ensuring that funding is allocated in a manner that supports equitable access to high-quality education for every child in Texas;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to the Governor of Texas, the Texas Commissioner of Education, and all members of the Texas Legislature to advocate for the necessary changes in the funding model;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees will continue to work with other school districts, educational organizations, and community stakeholders to promote and support this change in funding policy.
Adopted this 6th day of June, 2024, by the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees.
Safety Funding Resolution
Resolution Calling on the State of Texas to Increase Its Funding Allocation for Safety, Addressing State Mandates for Facility Improvements and Providing for an Armed Police Officer at Every Campus
WHEREAS, the Pflugerville Independent School District (PfISD) Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors within the district;
WHEREAS, the safety of students and staff is paramount to providing an effective learning environment;
WHEREAS, the State of Texas has mandated various safety measures, including facility improvements and the presence of an armed police officer at every campus, to enhance the security of public schools;
WHEREAS, the implementation of these safety mandates requires significant financial resources that exceed the current funding allocations provided to school districts by the state;
WHEREAS, the cost of facility improvements necessary to comply with state safety mandates, including the installation of security systems, hardened entrances, and other infrastructure upgrades, places a substantial financial burden on school districts;
WHEREAS, employing armed police officers at every campus involves considerable ongoing expenses related to salaries, training, equipment, and support;
WHEREAS, ensuring the safety and security of students and staff should not come at the expense of other essential educational programs and services due to insufficient funding;
WHEREAS, adequate state funding is critical to meeting these safety requirements without compromising the quality of education provided to students;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees calls upon the Texas State Legislature and the Texas Education Agency to significantly increase the funding allocation for school safety measures;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board urges the State to fully fund the mandated facility improvements and the provision of armed police officers at every campus, ensuring that these mandates do not financially strain school districts;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to the Governor of Texas, the Texas Commissioner of Education, and all members of the Texas Legislature to advocate for the necessary increase in safety funding;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees will continue to collaborate with other school districts, educational organizations, and community stakeholders to promote and support increased funding for school safety.
Adopted this 6th day of June, 2024, by the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees.
Special Education Resolution
Resolution Calling on the State of Texas to Fully Fund Special Education
WHEREAS, the Pflugerville Independent School District (PfISD) is committed to providing high-quality education and services to all students, including those who receive special education services; and
WHEREAS, the provision of special education services is essential to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and
WHEREAS, in the 2022-2023 school year, the State of Texas allocated $22 million annually to PfISD for special education funding; and
WHEREAS, in the 2022-2023 school year, PfISD's expenditure for special education services exceeded the state allocation, amounting to approximately $37 million annually, thereby creating a funding gap of $15 million; and
WHEREAS, the number of students requiring special education services in PfISD is increasing, which will further exacerbate the funding shortfall and strain the district's financial resources; and
WHEREAS, this underfunding jeopardizes the district's ability to sustain and enhance critical special education programs and services, potentially impacting the quality of education and support provided to students with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, ensuring adequate funding for special education is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative to support the academic and personal growth of all students;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Pflugerville Independent School District calls upon the Texas Legislature and the Governor of Texas to take immediate and decisive action to fully fund special education services in PfISD and across the state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees urges the State of Texas to increase its financial commitment to special education to cover the actual costs incurred by school districts, ensuring that all students with disabilities receive the services and support they need to succeed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees requests a comprehensive review and adjustment of the current special education funding formula to reflect the true costs of providing these essential services; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be communicated to the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Legislature, the Governor of Texas, and other relevant stakeholders to advocate for the necessary funding and resources required to support special education in PfISD.
Adopted this 6th day of June, 2024, by the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees.
Legislative Contacts & Resources
Legislative Contacts
Pflugerville ISD State & U.S. Legislators
Governor
Greg Abbott
P.O. Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711 512-463-2000 |
Lieutenant Governor
Dan Patrick
P.O. Box 12068 Austin, TX 78711 512-463-0001 |
- Chair: Brandon Creighton (Conroe) - Brandon.Creighton@senate.state.gov
- Chief of Staff Tara Clements - Tara.Clements@senate.state.gov
- Vice Chair: Donna Campbell (New Braunfels) - Donna.Campbell@senate.state.gov
- Chief of Staff Carrie Smith - Carrie.Smith@senate.state.gov
- Paul Bettencourt (Houston) - Paul.Bettencourt@senate.state.gov
- Brian Birdwell (Granbury) - Brian.Birdwell@senate.state.gov
- Pete Flores (Pleasonton) - Pete.Flores@senate.state.gov
- Phil King (Weatherford) - Phil.King@senate.state.gov
- Morgan LaMantia (South Padre Island) - Morgan.LaMantia@senate.state.gov
- Jose Menendez (San Antonio) - Jose.Menendez@senate.state.gov
- Mayes Middleton (Galveston) - Mayes.Middleton@senate.state.gov
- Tan Parker (Flower Mound) - Tan.Parker@senate.state.gov
- Angela Paxton (McKinney) - Angela.Paxton@senate.state.gov
- Drew Springer (Muenster) - Drew.Springer@senate.state.gov
- Royce West (Dallas) - Royce.West@senate.state.gov
- Rep. Brad Buckley - Chair
- Rep. Alma Allen - Vice Chair
- Rep. Steve Allison
- Rep. Charles Cunningham
- Rep. Harold V. Dutton, Jr.
- Rep. Cody Harris
- Rep. Brian Harrison
- Rep. Cole Hefner
- Rep. Gina Hinojosa
- Rep. Ken King
- Rep. Oscar Longoria
- Rep. Matt Schaefer
- Rep. James Talarico
The email address for all Texas State Representatives follows the same formula: firstname.lastname@house.texas.gov.
517 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Contact: www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm
Cruz, Ted - (R - TX)
404 Russell
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Contact: http://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=email_senator
Texas U.S. Representatives Congressional District 17--Congressman Pete Sessions |
Congressional District 25--Congressman Roger Williams |
Congressional District 35--Congressman Lloyd Doggett Texas Congressional Member Websites |
Texas State Senators Texas State Senate District 5 |
Texas State Senate District 14 |
Texas State Representatives |
Texas State House District 46 |
Texas State House District 52 |
Texas State Board of Education Members |
Texas State SBOE District 10 - Tom Maynard |
Online Resources
Tips for Communicating with Elected Officials
Vote. At the end of the day, elected officials care about the opinions of registered voters who are likely to get out and vote.
Do Your Homework. Be Informed about all pertinent issues you may wish to discuss with your legislator or other elected officials and about the issues that concern you. Make sure your communications are directed to the right people - a city council member can't do anything about a federal court ruling.
Set Priorities. Focus on the BIG thing and don't dilute your message with a long list of requests.
Communicate When Votes are Pending. One of the most effective times to communicate is when a bill is pending. Keep the communication brief and to the point - tell your representatives how you want them to vote.
Be Reasonable. Do not overstate your case or you risk losing your credibility. Do not deliver ultimatums or threats.
Humanize the issue. How is this affecting your child? How is this affecting you personally?
Meet Your Legislator in his/her home district, if possible. If you are planning to visit an official,
- Make an appointment. Don't drop in - elected officials are busy people.
- Always introduce yourself. Officials meet many people. There is a possibility that you may not be remembered even after multiple visits.
- Be brief and direct. Don't bring a laundry list of requests. Focus.
Tell Them Thank You. It isn't uncommon to neglect to thank elected officials for their service and their actions, but it can be an important step to praise them for following through on your requests.