North East Independent School District trustees became the latest across the state to pass a resolution rejecting policies that would allow public funds to be used for private schools.
But unlike the symbolic votes taken up by many districts across the state as part of a push by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), the NEISD vote Monday was not unanimous. Trustees voted 4-1 in favor, with one abstention and one trustee absent.
The one-page resolution lists common concerns about vouchers, including the variety of school choices already available, lack of services for special needs students and the reduction of state funds for public schools. It ends by requesting “that the Texas Legislature reject any diversion of public dollars to private entities in the form of education savings accounts and other voucher programs.”
In a tense exchange with board President Shannon Grona, Trustee Steve Hilliard questioned how the item got on the agenda and said he had concerns about how it was phrased.
“I’ll just say I represent the interests of the people in single-member District 6, not necessarily TASB. They’re trying to cover 1,200 ISDs,” he said. “And to me this is somewhat of a political resolution.”
Later in the discussion, Trustee Sandy Hughey disagreed.
“To me this isn’t a political issue,” she said. “This is about our children, this is about our district. So to me, if you’re not here to support public ed as a trustee, maybe go be on a private school board.”
As the debate over school choice and use of state money for private schools heats up in the final weeks of the legislative session, school districts across the state are passing similar resolutions.
San Antonio ISD passed a legislative agenda that included similar language in February. Northside ISD passed a resolution in March, and Judson ISD trustees approved a resolution as part of the consent agenda at a board meeting last week.
Grona, who voted in favor of the resolution, said that its language was provided by TASB and tailored to reflect NEISD.
When she asked Hilliard if he had any suggested changes, he said he would abstain from the vote.
Trustee Marsha Landry, who was in attendance when Gov. Greg Abbott visited a local Catholic school, voted against the resolution.
The resolution passed by NEISD mentions both vouchers and education savings accounts. One of the current bills being considered in the Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 8, would establish education savings accounts, which like vouchers would allow state funding to be used on private school tuition. Unlike vouchers, the accounts also would be eligible for certain approved educational services and products like therapy, tutoring and online schooling.
Districts, think tanks and lawmakers have used the term vouchers or voucher-like policies as a catch-all for a range of policies that would allow public dollars to be spent by parents.
Landry said that from her understanding, money for private schools would primarily go to students already not attending the public school district.
“I’m not sure I understand how this is harmful to our district,” she said. “And also it seems pro-parent and pro-choice, in my opinion.”
SB 8 would allow education savings accounts to be available only for current public school students, or students entering pre-kindergarten.
Grona said the legislation would allow parents currently unable to afford private school to have access, leading to more students leaving the district — a concern facing many districts in Bexar County amid declining enrollment and related financial constraints.
Trustee Diane Villarreal, who voted for the resolution, said competition could be good for the district but only if it is a “level playing field.”
“I love this district, and I want it to flourish,” she said. “And it makes me doggone mad that they are giving, or even considering giving, $8,000 to private schools with teachers that aren’t even certified, and we are bleeding. We can’t afford to give teachers the raises they deserve.”
Villarreal pointed to the $8,000 voucher amount in one proposed law, compared with the approximately $6,000 the state gives public school districts for each student enrolled. She said if vouchers pass, they should be equal to the amount schools get for each student.
Trustees also discussed the lack of accountability for schools receiving vouchers and the lack of protections for special needs students.
“If we have to be accountable for every single penny to the point that our checkbook is on the website, that concerns me that they could take this $8,000 of your money and my money and everyone else’s money, and we have no idea what it’s going to be used for,” Hughey said.
Trustee David Beyer, who voted yes on the resolution, echoed other trustees when he said that there is work to be done to improve the district, which earned a B in the state’s latest accountability rating.
“Are we doing things perfectly? No, we’re not, and we know that,” he said. “But I think we’re trying to innovate, we’re trying to provide programs and opportunities just within our district to accommodate a very large population, and I think we’re aware that we have to compete.”
Before voting, Beyer said the district was obligated to take a stance on the school choice issue.
“I think we would be doing ourselves, our students, the district, our staff, our teachers a disservice if we didn’t come out and say we believe … in the district,” he said.
Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are putting their full support behind school choice legislation this session. May 29 is the last day of the legislative session, although leaders have discussed calling special sessions if school choice legislation doesn’t pass.
