FAST GROWTH SCHOOLS LAUD HOUSE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION

“Long Road Ahead, But Early Signs Are Positive”

AUSTIN, TEXAS (Jan. 15, 2019)—The following statement from Fast Growth School Coalition (FGSC) regarding the Texas House of Representatives baseline budget recommendations should be attributed to Dr. Guy Sconzo, Executive Director:

“The Texas House has affirmed its strong support for Texas public schools with the release of their base budget recommendations for the next biennium.

“There’s a long road ahead in this Session, but the early signs are positive with Speaker Bonnen and the Texas House recommending a $9 billion increase in public education funding for the next biennium.

“This is welcome news in light of the fact that state funding for school facilities has dwindled from a peak of 45 percent to just 7 percent in 2016-17. Now more than ever, we hope our leaders in Austin step up to ensure the Texas Miracle continues by investing in our students, our schools and our future workforce.

“Fast growth school districts are not only delivering high-quality public education, these districts are an integral part of Texas’ larger economy, contributing a total of $70.5 billion in total economic output for our state.

“Fast Growth School Coalition looks forward to working with the Texas House and Texas Senate to find meaningful solutions to our school finance system and property tax relief.

“Money matters in public education, and Texas’ fastest growing school districts are a smart investment for the State of Texas.”

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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. 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. Follow Fast Growth School Coalition on Twitter and Facebook: @FastGrowthTexas.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Harris, 512-773-7168, [email protected]