Just the Facts

  1. Since 2008, the State’s level of funding per student has decreased $339 per student (when adjusting for enrollment growth) and $795 per student (when adjusted for enrollment growth and inflation).
  1. The State’s share of funding education from All Funds has decreased from 44.9% in 2008 to 38.4% in 2017 while local property tax dollars to fund public education have increased from 44.8% in 2008 to 55.1% in 2017.
  1. The State is using property value growth and/or recaptured funds from local school property taxes to fund other state priorities outside of education.
  1. The use of recaptured funds is out of control and is contributing toward the state’s over-reliance on local property taxes. More districts must pay recapture each year, and it is not a sustainable funding mechanism.

Additional Resources

Plano ISD
Spring Branch ISD

  • State Hidden Property Tax example

Plano ISD’s message to legislators about Taxparency

  • LBB Fiscal Size Up Report for 2016-17 LBB Fiscal Size Up Report for 2016-17
    • Figure 169 Pre-K-12 Public Education Funding in Real & Constant Dollars, Fiscal Years 2008-2017
    • Figure 170 Major Foundation School Program Cost Drivers & Legislative Actions, 2016-17 Biennium
    • Figure 172 State and Local Foundation School Program Funding & State Share Percentage, Fiscal Years 2005-2017

Texas Tribune: “Analysis:  Texas budget writers treasure that school tax you hate,” January 13, 2017
Texas Tribune: “Analysis:  Why rising property values don’t lower school taxes,” December 14, 2016
Texas Tribune: “Analysis:  State’s declining support for public education in Texas” , December 12, 2016
Texas Tribune: “Analysis:  The challenge of making a property tax pitch pay off in Texas”, December 9, 2016
Community Impact: “Plano ISD seeks transparency for ‘Robin Hood’ funding”, November 23, 2016
Texas Tribune: “Analysis:  High property taxes start in Austin, not in school districts”, October 24, 2016
Texas Tribune: “Analysis:  Rising local school property taxes ease state budget woes”, October 21, 2016
Community Impact:  “Plano ISD trustees want to be included in rising property values discussion”, October 19, 2016
Texas Tribune: “Analysis:  A game of chicken:  between Texas, its biggest school district”, September 26, 2016