Carroll ISD Needs Your Help

The 88th legislative regular session in Texas came to a close earlier this year without reform to school finance being accomplished by the Texas Legislature. However, as of November 8, 2023, Governor Abbott has called a fourth special session, again focusing on public school finance. We need our representatives to pass legislation to fully fund our schools!

Presently,

• CISD is still ranked fourth from the bottom in state funding due to the insufficient state school funding formula,

• CISD is still subject to losing $34 million via the Robin Hood scheme of “recapture,”

• And there has been NO CHANGE to the basic allotment despite 40 year record inflation.

Ask your state legislators to pass appropriate school funding legislation NOW!

We are proud to CONTINUE THE TRADITION of EXCELLENCE:

• "A" rating from TEA with a score of 98
• 8-time UIL Lone Star Cup winners
• 39 National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists
• Numerous championship teams and squads
• Robotics teams and other high-level extracurricular student activities
• Excellent students, teachers, and community
  

HOWEVER — we’ve been accomplishing this despite challenging financial circumstances

• 82% of CISD revenue is determined by a state funding formula, which makes the district the 4th LOWEST state-funded in Texas
• A Robin-Hood-style scheme of “recapture” has been diverting over a third of our funding to other districts
• Our funding has also not kept pace with record inflation and increased costs while our state funding remains flat through an insufficient formula
• The state just spent a $33 Billion surplus - which they should use to resolve school funding shortfalls

FILL OUT THE FORM TO SEND A LETTER TODAY!

Take Action Now!

Share your information below and a message will be sent on your behalf to your representatives.

This letter will be sent on your behalf, asking our leaders to TAKE ACTION:

Dear State Legislator,

As a community member in Carroll ISD, I am concerned about the insufficient state funding formula that has not been changed in four years, despite 40 year record inflation. 

During this time, our costs have increased significantly, including considerable increases to:

• Utilities and energy costs

• Property insurance rates

• Transportation and fuel

Along with these  increased costs, there are a number of mandated programs and initiatives districts are required to pay for, despite insufficient funding to do so. These include:

• Technology for STAAR testing

• Teacher raises

• Safety and security

• Special education / special programs

Additionally, CISD loses $34 million per year to recapture.

Our high-performing district is at risk of cutting award-winning programs and student opportunities due to a shortfall in funding, which leaves CISD ranked as the fourth-lowest district in Texas in state funding.

School districts in Texas need help and we are imploring you to pass legislation to appropriately fund our schools. When you do so, we hope you will consider the following needs:

• Basic allotment increase

• Ongoing increased pay for our teachers

• Recapture reform

• Flexibility with STAAR testing

Without meaningful change, CISD cannot maintain current operations.

We appreciate your support for Texas schools and teachers and we thank you for your leadership in the great state of Texas.

Sincerely,

[your name]

Once you fill out the form above, your email will be sent to your state legislators.

Note: If you would like to send a custom letter, you may copy and use any or all of the above letter and/or add your own words as you see fit.

You may reach your representatives at the following: 

Senator Hancock: kelly.hancock@senate.texas.gov 
(If in the city of Grapevine) Senator Tan Parker: tan.parker@senate.texas.gov 
Representative Capriglione: giovanni.capriglione@house.texas.gov 

Please be sure to cc legislative.action@southlakecarroll.edu on your custom email to your representatives so we can keep count of your advocacy efforts and support! 

This page is owned and operated by Carroll ISD. Any data collected will not be sold to third parties and will only be used for the advocacy purposes indicated here.

Programs within our top-performing school district are at risk due to a shortfall in state funding. 

We are facing a challenging financial situation due to circumstances out of our control such as an insufficient state funding formula, record inflation, a recession, and a "recapture" scheme that diverts CISD funds to other districts. There are SOLUTIONS - but we need your help!