ODESSA, TX — On Monday morning, May 1st, school districts across the state from El Paso to Dallas-Ft. Worth hosted a “Mayday” press conference, including Ector County ISD and Big Spring ISD. “Mayday” is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice-procedure radio communications. This particular “Mayday” was to issue a plea to elected State officials for financial assistance for public education.
According to ECISD Superintendent Dr. Scott Muri, inflation has consumed School budgets. From 2019 to 2023, expenses have increased by 17 percent rate of inflation, impacting costs of fuel, maintenance, utilities, insurance, and food. This directly affects budgets and schools cannot do as much as they were able to before. He also stated that meaningful raises must be given to employees because family expenses have also increased. The solution presented was to use the state’s $32 billion of excess revenue to invest in public education, specifically to increase the basic allotment by $1,000 to help meet the needs. State officials were also urged to invest in public education to address the teacher shortage. It was also noted that if the current $32 billion surplus is not wisely invested, shortages will continue for years to come.
In addition to Dr. Muri, Big Spring ISD Superintendent Jay McWilliams and Melisa Valenzuela, SPED supervisor and current Secondary Teacher of the Year, participated in the conference.
During the conference, McWilliams spoke on a common misconception that when property values increase it automatically goes to the school district. He advised that bills that compress property taxes are good for property owners, but it results in less money being generated for the school. McWilliams noted that student allotments have stayed the same since 2019, but inflation has impacted everything.
Currently, Texas legislatures are looking at $90 increase in student allotment. McWilliams stated that he appreciate the Texas Senate and House of Representatives looking at teacher pay raises and an allotment change, but stated that a solid commitment to give pay raises and take care of day to day maintenance and operations was needed.
Valenzuela, who has 15 years of experience in education, spoke as a representative of the employees serving with “boots on the ground” with the children in the school system. She stated that soon employees will begin to make decisions on whether they stay with their school district for another year or if it’s time to look elsewhere for employment in order to sufficiently provide for their families. She noted that it takes time for first-time teachers to become effective in the classroom and experienced teachers are facing teacher burnout. After the conference she told KBest News that it was important that she served as a voice for those who work together on campuses with the children to provide a great education.
The public is asked to contact their state representatives and senators to let them know that public education is important to them by urging them to use more of the surplus budget to fund public education.
McWilliams told KBest News that state legislature needs to step up and add more money to public education.
“Bottom line is, [the state has] not changed the amount of money we get per student in four years, and in the last four years inflation just went through the roof. We’re hoping that legislature will realize that and more money will start coming in per student, and they’ll add things to help us give teachers pay raises because they deserve it,” said McWilliams.
Dr. Muri and ECISD Board of Trustee member Delma Abalos advised that it was important for the public, especially parents of students in public school, to reach out to their senators and representatives to tell them that public education is important to them and to use funds from the $32 billion surplus to support public education.
During the conference it was noted that Representative Brooks Landgraf, District 81, was doing a great job at supporting public education and Representative Drew Darby would entertain conversations about supporting public education but it was important for the public to contact them with a simple phone call or email.
Texas State Senator Kevin Sparks, District 31
To send an email, visit: https://senate.texas.gov/memberform.php?auth=6wFL%2FWNO%2F5vv7YyeBFsBPU2nsFfDe8v3uImv3te73iQ6XzpfOkv09JvftIvTUeiMuBhGOwTFHjmJ%2FEeHLTAJoLHh%2FsDMhjmkOnw6fDqHqpGvyAT2Mg5VFePkhWra&lang=en
Capitol Address
The Honorable Kevin Sparks
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
Phone Number: (512) 463-0131
District Address
P.O. Box 2463
Big Spring, TX 79721
Phone Number: (432) 994-2377
Representative Drew Darby, District 72 (Coke, Coleman, Concho, Glasscock, Howard, Irion, Reagan, Runnels, Sterling, and Tom Green counties)
To send an email, visit: https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/email/?district=72&session=88
Capitol Address:
Room GW.12
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Phone number: (512) 463-0331
District Address:
36 W. Beauregard Suite 517
San Angelo, TX 76903
Phone number: (325) 658-7313
Fax number:(325) 659-3762
Representative Brooks Landgraf, District 81 (serving Ector, Loving, Ward, and Winkler counties)
To send an email, visit: https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/email/?district=81&session=88
Capitol Address:
Room E2.602
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Phone Number: (512) 463-0546
Fax Number: (512) 463-8067
District Address:
Phone Number: (432) 332-0937
Representative Tom Craddick, District 82 (serving Dawson, Martin, and Midland counties)
To send an email, visit: https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/email/?district=82&session=88
Capitol Address:
Room 1W.9
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Phone Number: (512) 463-0500
District Address:
500 West Texas, Suite 880
Midland, TX 79701
Phone Number: (432) 682-3000
Fax Number: (432) 684-4864
Comments