FASTEST GROWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS CONTRIBUTE $70.5 BILLION IN TOTAL ECONOMIC OUTPUT

New Economic Impact Study Examines Contribution of State’s Fastest Growing School Districts to the “Texas Miracle”

Download the full FGSC Economic Impact Study.

Fort Worth, Texas (Feb. 27, 2018)–According to a new economic impact study from the Fast Growth School Coalition (FGSC), Texas’ fastest growing school districts contribute $70.5 billion in increased economic activity, making these 75 fastest-growing public school districts a significant economic driver for the state.

“Texas’ fastest growing school districts already experience tremendous population growth as businesses relocate or expand into these communities,” said Dr. Guy Sconzo, Executive Director of Fast Growth School Coalition and a former Humble ISD superintendent. “Now, we know that these 75 school districts contribute mightily to the Texas Miracle and our larger economy, as well.”

The study, commissioned by FGSC and conducted by AngelouEconomics, found there are many positive economic benefits that school districts create for their communities and the state.

From 2000 to 2014, approximately $33.1 billion was invested into construction projects in fast growth school districts. The study found that as billions of dollars are invested into school infrastructure and equipment, the investment ripples through and across the larger economy impacting more than 500 business sectors.

According to the FGSC economic impact study, 26,810 jobs are supported each year from school infrastructure investments. Over the past 15 years, $24.7 billion in labor income has been paid out and a total of $70.5 billion in total economic output has been generated within the Texas economy.

The full economic impact study is online at . The report also includes snapshots of individual fast growth school districts’ economic impact.

“As much as regional growth benefits school districts, the school districts themselves are critical drivers of local economic growth. These fast growth school districts make Texas more competitive for business, better prepare students to enter the workforce, strengthen local housing markets and improve the overall quality of life,” said William Mellor, Vice President of AngelouEconomics.

Texas public schools enroll an average of 75,000 new students every year. Roughly 80 percent of those new students are spread among just 75 of the state’s more than 1,200 public school districts statewide.

These fast growth schools or destination districts tend to be located in areas of the state with rapid economic growth, business expansion and significant increases in population.

“A strong Texas economy and growing population means fast growth school districts have to keep pace with this tremendous growth, building new facilities, hiring new staff and managing increased academic resource costs,” said Dr. Jamie Wilson, Superintendent of Denton ISD and President of FGSC. “Yet, a majority of these fast growth districts receive no facilities funding from the state to help keep pace with the schools needed to house and educate these Texas public school students.”

Overall, state funding for school facilities has dwindled from a peak of 45 percent to just 7 percent in 2016-17.

“Fast growth school districts are not only delivering high-quality public education, these districts are an integral part of Texas’ larger economy,” added Dr. Sconzo. “The state’s investment in these fast growing schools is an investment in the economic prosperity of Texas. The state must step up and increase its support for Texas’ fast growing schools, their students, the businesses and larger communities they serve.”

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About Fast Growth School Coalition

For two decades, the Fast Growth School Coalition (FGSC, fastgrowthtexas.org) has educated and advocated for investment in the state’s fastest growing school districts to deliver the high-quality education Texas students and taxpayers deserve. For a complete list of fast growth school districts, visit our website. Follow Fast Growth School Coalition on Twitter and Facebook: @FastGrowthTexas.

About AngelouEconomics

AngelouEconomics partners with client communities and regions across the United States and abroad to candidly assess current economic development realities and opportunities. To learn more visit, angeloueconomics.com.