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Elgin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees last month unanimously approved its legislative priorities for the 89th Texas Legislative Session.
Focused on ensuring every student has access to engaging, innovative learning experiences, the district’s priorities align with its goal of providing choice and opportunity for students’ futures, according to the board.
“Elgin ISD will work diligently to meet its strategic priorities and compelling purpose, which focus on the learning experiences of every student,” Al Rodriguez said, Elgin ISD executive director of communications and community engagement. “We look forward to working together with those state representatives who will work with us to meet (these) goals in support of every student.”
According to officials, the district will advocate for the following areas in the 89th Legislative Session, which began Jan. 14: Investing in students and educators
• Increasing basic allotment funding to address rising costs, mandated safety requirements and sustainable teacher compensation • Transitioning from attendance- based to enrollment- based funding
• Fully funding pre-K and individualized special education allotments
• Removing the statutory limit on fast-growth allotments
Ensuring transparency with public dollars
• Prioritizing the use of public funds for public schools
• Providing equitable funding for all public schools, including local districts and charters
Supporting those who support students
• Providing competitive compensation and improving the affordability of college and certification programs to attract more educators
• Increasing state funding for rising healthcare costs related to TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care plans
• Offering flexible certification pathways to address teacher shortages in pre-K, special education and bilingual education
Fair and transparent school accountability
• Reforming standardized testing by focusing on essential standards and limiting assessments to those federally required
• Restructuring accountability systems to prioritize student growth
• Ensuring equitable standards for all schools receiving public funding
Empowering voters and locally elected officials:
• Increasing local control and decision-making authority
• Supporting measures that provide local flexibility in meeting instructional needs
• Simplifying and clarifying ballot language to reduce confusion in bond and tax rate elections
• Maintaining flexibility offered through District of Innovation plans
