Good voting; bad outcome

In Saturday's Star-Telegram, there was an article titled "Texas Senate easily passes $4 billion in revenue measures".  The title sounded promising.  Then the hope of additional revenue and decreased cuts to education quickly faded.  "The bill, which emerged from a special (Senate) subcommittee, would speed up tax collections, sell underused state property, defer state payments to school districts and take other steps to generate revenue for the 2012-13 biennium."  Defer payments to school districts...to the tune of $1.8 billion!  Delaying this revenue to school districts would mean that in order to finance the beginning of the school year in August, districts would have to generate other revenue (not likely that they could generate enough to make up for the shortfall) or dip into their savings (if they have it).  GCISD has savings, but many districts do not.  If GCISD dipped into its' fund balance and additional cuts to education revenue passed after this legislative session, or if this bond package doesn't pass, then GCISD's fund balance would quickly be depleted.  Then where would we be and how many staff cuts would it take to operate?

On a positive note, our local Senators are voting against bills such as this and tried to pass amendments to this bill which would make cuts in areas other than education.  Their focus is truly on education our public schoolchildren in Texas.  Here's a summary for you:

• Senator Jane Nelson (represents GCISD area) - voted against the above-referenced bill.  She tried to pass an amendment which, instead, would impose a 2-year hiring freeze on nonessential state personnel (no harm there), a temporary 10% pay cut for state employees making over $200,000 per year, and a suspension of "longevity" pay for longtime state workers.  These are very reasonable cuts compared to those for education!  She stated that "it's not unreasonable to ask our state agencies not to grow for 2 years while we're in touch times so we can educate our children."  However, Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock) said "Nelson's proposed hiring freeze would further damage the morale of state employees and 'take away the flexibility of state agencies' to manage their workers."  Unbelievable.  What about the morale of our teachers and school staff?  What about the ability of school districts to employ, much less manage, its workers?  It's hard to imagine the mindset that would oppose Senator Nelson's amendment.  What a mess.
• Senator Wendy Davis (from Fort Worth) - voted against the above-referenced bill also.  She tried to pass a measure that would divert all but $10 million from each of Gov. Perry's two major job creation funds, the Texas Enterprise Fund and the Emerging Technologies Fund.  She also called on lawmakers in the House to look at lifting a tax exemption on the production of natural gas (this was a bold move from a FtW senator whose area includes the Barnett Shale.  Davis told senators that "it's shared-pain time and transferring money from the governor's funds could have a significant impact on education."   

Please call or e-mail Senator Nelson and express appreciation to her for listening to her constituents and keeping public education funding a priority in her work and voting in Austin.  With such opposition from legislators, she needs to feel like she has an army of support from "her people".  

"4 Day Instructional Week" Bill Moving to House Floor Vote

Crazy Legislative Alert: HB1326 passed committee today and now moves to vote on House floor. This is the bill that would change the entire public school week (and work week) with 8.5+ hr days/4 days per week. Call or e-mail Vicki Truitt to urge her not to support this bill.  How in the world could the districts, and the businesses and child care centers, change their schedules to a 4 day week and 8.5 or more hours each day?  The "operational costs" that this proposes to save districts aren't defined.  However, what are defined are the costs to the TEA (Texas Education Agency) which are approximately $60,000 to implement the changes in the accounting of schools if this bill passes. 

GCISD Bond Package

This is a good article explaining the $1.24M bond package that is being proposed on the May 14th ballot.  Please vote "YES" and vote early beginning next Monday, May 2nd.

http://impactnews.com/grapevine-colleyville-southlake/583-news/12281-gcisd-voters-consider-1245m-in-projects

Senate Finance Committee passes school finance bill

From the "Texas Association of School Administrators" website on April 21, 2011:  Senate Finance passes school finance bill

Sen. Florence Shapiro earned support for her school finance plan, which was voted favorably out of the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday. The bill now goes to the full Senate.

Several who testified on the bill thanked the senators for providing more money for public education than the House has currently proposed, though the bill still represents $4 billion in cuts to public schools. Shapiro said she believes the bill represents a best-case scenario in what “could have been a catastrophe” for public education.

“I truly believe this is the best that we could do,” Shapiro said. “We’ve said again and again that public education is our highest priority…If there is more money my hope would be the first place we put it is in our public schools.”

Shapiro said the bill goes a long way toward fixing a broken school finance system by moving from 127 districts on formula funding to 650 on formula funding by 2013. Shapiro, who also chairs the Senate Education Committee, said her plan allows for a phase-out of the current system without decimating school districts – a potential outcome if the legislature attempted to do away with target revenue in one fell swoop at a time when they’re cutting funding from the system.

Shapiro said the average cut for districts would be 6 to 7 percent, with the highest cuts at around 9 percent and some as low as 1 to 2 percent.

Sen. Kel Seliger, who had said he would offer up a substitute bill that would eliminate target revenue by 2013 bringing all districts under formula funding in two years, did not offer up his plan Wednesday.

Amendments to the bill, which were rolled into the committee substitute that was approved, were:

1. Restoring the $250 / $500 supplement

2. Modifying the pre-k language so that the commissioner can withhold up to $65 per pre-kindergarten student from Foundation School Program funding in the first year of the biennium only.

3. Modifying the pre-k language to create a pre-k accountability system through TEA rather than the state center.

4. Repealed ASATR (hold-harmless) beginning in 2016-17.

This bill will now go up for vote in the full Senate.

No Action on School Mandates Bill in House

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2011/04/21/house_adjourns_with_no_action.html?cxntfid=blogs_postcards
This Bill proposes to raise the class size of Kindergarten through 4th grade as well as give greater flexibility to school districts to fire and/or cut teacher pay.

Warnings of school funding problems ignored by Perry

A very insightful article, written by the Superintendent from Bryan/College Station, explaining how the problems with school finance and funding began with a change in revenue and how Gov. Perry ignored the warnings.  Not surprising.
http://www.theeagle.com/columnists/Education-funding-a-house-of-cards-

Senator Davis to hold Town Hall Meeting Saturday

Senator Davis in Colleyville Saturday to Discuss the Budget

I hope that you can attend Senator Wendy Davis' Town Hall meeting on Saturday in Colleyville, where she will discuss what's going on in Austin with the budget.  Click on the link above for more information.  She needs to hear from the masses, her constituents, about what we want and expect from our elected official in Austin!

Vicki Truitt's Newsletter dated 4/5/11 about the Budget

From Where I Sit . . . 82nd Legislature April 4, 2011     A message from . . . State Rep. Vicki Truitt                                                                         STATE REPRESENTATIVE VICKI TRUITT   Proudly serving the people of the 98th Texas House district! (Residents of Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Westlake, Trophy Club-Tarrant County, far north Fort Worth, and unincorporated northeast Tarrant County) vicki.truitt@house.state.tx.us ·   DISTRICT OFFICE 1256 Main Street Suite 248 Southlake, TX 76092 Southlake Town Square (817) 488-4098 (817) 488-4099 fax · CAPITOL OFFICE P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768-2910 GW.18 (512) 463-0690 (512) 477-5770 fax · CAMPAIGN OFFICE P.O. Box 886 Keller, TX   76244 (817) 897-0056 RepTruitt@VickiTruitt.com      Thank You District 98! GOD BLESS TEXAS! and GOD BLESS AMERICA! ____________________ Vicki at House front mic on opening day of the   82nd Legislature    Dear Friends, You can tell the Legislature is in full swing.  Last week, on Wednesday, I had a 20-hour day, and then on Friday, we worked for 16 hours on the next biennial budget.  Beginning last Friday, and concluding last night (Sunday evening), the Texas House of Representatives passedHouse Bill 1, the House's version of a proposed budget for the state's fiscal period beginning on September 1, 2011 and ending on August 31, 2013. HB 1 sets a proposed budget for the state that: Is within available revenue, Creates no new taxes, and  Promotes the principles of limited government. The bill passed on both second and third readings with a vote of 98 in favor, and 49 opposed, 2 present, not voting, and 1 excused absence.  I voted in favor of the bill.  Many of you have contacted me with your concerns over the severe cuts in the budget.  This proposed budget would cut every aspect of state government.    The fact is - Texas is constitutionally bound to operate with a balanced budget.  With the downturn in the economy, there are limited resources to allocate (something, frankly, by which I believe Congress should also be bound). The bill the Texas House passed would decrease the state's spending by about $23 billion, or 12.3% of all funds.   (Compare this to what, I believe, the federal government is considering - a $30 billion cut in spending.)  General revenue funding (which comes mostly from state taxes and fees) would fall $4.6 billion, or 5.2% from the current fiscal year's budget. The Texas Legislature must strike a careful balancebetween living within our means, and funding vital services like public education and other essential services for Texas' most vulnerable citizens, needed transportation infrastructure, etc.    Please understand that the passage of HB 1 is only a starting point.  This is not the final product.  This is thebeginning of a process that will, undoubtedly, change.  The budget will "evolve" as the House and the Senate go to "conference" to resolve the differences between their two different versions of the budget. I am keenly aware that there is a human face behind each of the difficult decisions we must make.  As the budget works its way through the legislative process, we will continue to work on finding ways to reduce the cuts to our most essential and important state services - such as public education. In the meantime, I want to continue to hear from you.  I welcome and need your input.    On the state's budget . . . stay tuned.  Please remember the members of the Texas Legislature in your prayers - not only that we will be guided to make sound decisions for the people of our beloved state, but also for Rep. Barbara Nash (R-Arlington) whose sister passed away yesterday, and Rep. Alma Allen (D-Houston) who buried her husband of 54 years on Saturday. Finally, please look for and respond to the survey I'll be sending you regarding HB 750 - "Campus Carry."  I would sincerely appreciate having your opinion on this matter. Thank you for the privilege of serving you in the Texas House!                                           Vicki   Political ad paid by TRUITT for DISTRICT 98 P.O. Box 886 Keller, Texas 76244 William E. Greenwood, Treasurer

Forward email This email was sent to cwalgren@verizon.net by reptruitt@vickitruitt.com |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Vicki Truitt - State Representative District 98 | P.O. Box 886 | Keller | TX | 76244

Please take this survey from Vicki Truitt

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=8hfxvncab&v=001iPF_ovG5vap_2ioXEemJPy-fIZj-kqsEb6GWHgYt5GS0y_rF82FEqbHcBPOiQxq2JPt6T8mCY5IxJJJKfDwpOvC1OWCjhueoNFwoYOrrFGhV2AjUUD5BIAnzr9RfQ3IgOcOvbC1F_DZisF708mF5CYgHVUd3g7nV

What are your thoughts about using the Rainy Day fund?

Texas' Rainy Day Fund

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/03/villarreal-calls-deal-an-embar.html

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2011/03/15/gov_rick_perry_and_house.html

Texas Legislature Week in Review by Moak & Casey

http://www.moakcasey.com/news/article.aspx?id=2173

Some Education Considerations from our Legislature

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/20/2936339/texas-legislature-considering.html

Our GCISD heroes, rallying in Austin on March 12th!

A letter for this group from our Superintendent, Dr. Ryan:

A letter for this group from our Superintendent:

Thank you to everyone who has called, written and even trekked to Austin to meet with lawmakers and attend rallys urging our legislators to Make Education A Priority! As I left Austin after a day full of meeting with lawmakers, it seems that some of our state leaders have forgotten about the importance of having excellent public schools. Not once in this statewide funding discussion have I heard senior state leadership talk publicly about excellence in education or preparing Texas students for a global economy. I have heard only about budget cuts and fingerpointing.

While the issue at hand may be about a budget shortfall, how we handle it today will have long-term impacts on the future of our state. In GCISD we have done our part. We continue to provide our students with an excellent education in a lean and fiscally reponsible manner. Our legislators need to continue hearing from parents, teachers, and community members about how the massive cuts that have been proposed will impact our people, our schools and our students. Your voices are being heard and YOU are making a difference!

All the BEST,

RR

Dr. Robin Ryan

Superintendent

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Building Excellent Schools Together

Senate Bills Moved from Committee to Local & Uncontested Calendar

SB 79 - 

In 2009, the 81st Legislature unanimously approved S.B. 2033, prohibiting districts from requiring teachers to assign minimum grades without regard to a student's quality of work and clarifying that this policy may allow students a reasonable opportunity for make-up work.  Several school districts misinterpreted this law to apply only to individual assignments and not to cumulative average or report card grades and filed suit against the Texas Education Agency in late 2009.  In spring 2010, a Travis County judge ruled that S.B. 2033 was "not ambiguous" and that it requires districts to eliminate policies prohibiting teachers from giving honest grades on cumulative grade averages and on individual assignments and exams.

S.B. 79 clarifies that minimum grade policies are prohibited for "cumulative averages of grades," as well as for individual assignment and exam grades, and makes the prohibition applicable to any grade a district assigns and to the existing state requirement that districts report grades to parents every 12 weeks or, if performance is unsatisfactory, every three to four weeks.  Finally, it removes references to "classroom teachers" to ensure that this legislation applies to student grades assigned by any teacher.

As proposed, S.B. 79 amends current law relating to the contents and applicability of a school district's grading policy.

*************************************

SB 140 - 

Current law states that a student may not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered.  Some school districts have misinterpreted credit to mean high school credit for graduation, but credit actually applies to all grade levels (K-12) and all academic disciplines.

As a result of this confusion, the practice of pulling students from fine arts and other enrichment classes for tutoring on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) has become increasingly widespread—sometimes for as much of half or more of the days that the classes are offered.  Students are receiving grades and class credit for courses they do not attend, and they are missing out on the valuable knowledge that these courses provide.

C.S.S.B. 140 will clarify that students may not earn a credit or grade for a class unless they are in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered in all grade levels (K-12).  This bill will help ensure that students are in attendance in class so that the state-mandated Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) is taught and learned effectively and appropriately.

C.S.S.B. 140 amends current law relating to minimum public school attendance for class credit or a grade.

*********************

SB 391 - 

Instead of sending hard copies of textbook "drafts" to the school districts, this bill would require the publishing companies to send the drafts electronically which would save money and eliminate the waste of the hardcover "drafts".

**********************

S.B. 764 - 

prohibits a school board from imposing taxes, issuing bonds, and authorizing the use of school district employees or school district property, money, or other resources to acquire property to build and operate a hotel.  The bill also precludes school boards from entering into any type of lease agreement for hotels.

As proposed, S.B. 764 amends current law relating to a prohibition against use of school district resources for a hotel.

************************

SB 912 - 

Addresses the policies and rights of the Board not renewing a teacher's contract.

List of all House Bills on public education being heard on Tues 3/15

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE:   Public Education  TIME & DATE: 2:00 PM or upon final adjourn./recess Tuesday, March 15, 2011  PLACE:       E2.036 CHAIR:       Rep. Rob Eissler

HB 359        Allen Relating to the use of corporal punishment in public schools.

HB 400        Eissler Relating to flexibility for public schools to administer primary and secondary education efficiently.

HB 500        Eissler | et al. Relating to end-of-course assessment instruments administered to   public high school students.

HB 916        Allen | et al. Relating to corporal punishment in public schools.

HB 1076       Shelton | et al. Relating to the student to teacher ratio applicable to accelerated instruction groups for certain public school students.

HB 1326       Guillen Relating to authorization to operate school districts on the basis of a four-day instructional week.

HB 1334       Allen Relating to the effect of a delay by the State Board for Educator Certification in renewing an educator's certification.

HB 1589       Eissler Relating to the study of productivity and cost-effectiveness in public education.

HB 1632       Gonzales, Larry Relating to the dates by which public school teachers must provide notification of resignation from employment.

HB 1703       Martinez Fischer Relating to the schedule for administration of state-administered  assessment instruments in public schools.

HB 1833       Shelton Relating to notice requirements for certain hearings and meetings  of the board of trustees of a school district.

HB 1834       Shelton Relating to elimination of certain requirements for increasing community awareness of prekindergarten programs offered by or in partnership with school districts.

The order the bills are heard is at the  discretion of the Chairman. Public Testimony is limited to  three (3) minutes.

House Bills Scheduled for Hearing on Tuesday 3/15!

HB 1589 would create a new governmental agency that would report to the governor, lt. governor, speaker of the House and legislature. It would be called the CENTER FOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION. The bill basically states that this agency would monitor the cost-efficiency of schools and report that back to the government. And who would pay for this agency and its staff???? Maybe the school districts in Texas should collectively create the CENTER FOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN TEXAS STATE GOVERNMENT. Call or e-mail your rep about this one that is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday 3/15.

HB 1326 is scheduled for public hearing. This bill would change schools drastically. Students would attend 4 days instead of 5 and for 8.5 hours each day. How could students and teachers physically and mentally handle that long of a school day? Time to call and write our Representatives on this one!

Perry vs. Doggett

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110307/us_yblog_thelookout/perry-may-turn-down-millions-as-he-slashes-education-funding

What do you think about this?

State Income Tax?

Okay, so we all realize that the current system of funding public education in Texas hasn't, and doesn't work.  The "Rainy Day" fund won't fund what's needed.  So what are the other options besides cuts?  In yesterday's Star-Telegram, Jimmy DeFoor of Bedford wrote an opinion column, proposing a 3% flat rate  state income tax.  The article states that the Texas Constitution allows a state income tax only to fund primary and secondary public education and that 2/3 of the proceeds be given to the school districts.  In return, each district is required to reduce it's M&O levy (Maintenance & Operations) by the same amount given in income tax proceeds.  He says that "...a 3 percent income tax on all taxable incomes will fix the current school financing problem permanently while also cutting school property taxes significantly".   Further, he states that a flat income tax rate is "efficient" (easy to administer & audit), "effective" (revenue will grow as population grows), and "equitable" because the tax burden to each person would relatively equal his/her ability to pay.

What do you think?

GCISD Budget Reductions Approved by Board

http://www.gcisd-k12.org/657420228155751503/lib/657420228155751503/budget_reduc_feb28_11.pdf

Hopefully, all of you are subscribed to GCISD's FastNews--basically their e-mail newsletter.  Today's FastNews reported the reductions to next year's budget which were adopted by the Board at Monday night's meeting.  The link above is to the attachment which shows each reduction as well as the dollar amount each will save.

Grapevine-Colleyville Group Organizing May 12th Rally in Austin

https://sites.google.com/site/gcpubliceducation/home

Road trip!  Interested?  Check out the above site!  Hopefully, this group will get a lot of sign-ups to ride the bus to Austin on Saturday, May 12th.  They will represent all of us in GCISD who oppose cuts to public education and changes to the old "Robin Hood" system of school finance.  A march at 11:00 will be followed by a rally at the Capitol from 12 to 2:00--with loud voices and lots of information to give legislators.  By participating in a rally and communicating with legislators by letter, phone or e-mail, voices will be heard and will make a difference!    Good job, Denise Light for organizing the rally!

GCISD Board Eliminated Block Scheduling Next Year

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/02/28/2884668/grapevine-colleyville-trustees.html

I know that those parents of high school students have definite opinions about block scheduling.  After sitting on the SEAT committee and hearing the proposals and questions about block scheduling, it is very clear that this move is not what anyone wanted, but it's the better of not-so-good options.  Eliminating block scheduling will save the district $1.6M, the equivalent of 30 teachers.  But does this mean that 30 teachers will be eliminated?  No, because many teachers are "double-blocked" meaning they teach multiple classes.  The district hopes to keep most, if not all of the teachers, through redistribution within the schools. The Board also voted to give teachers who are planning on retiring, but haven't declared their retirement to the district, a $1,000 incentive to go ahead and let them know they're retiring.  The first 10 elementary and first 20 secondary teachers to respond will receive this incentive.  The last big news to come from the Board was the notice of a May 14th bond election.

99 Bills Currently Posted in House

Bills Currently Posted in House Public Education Committee

Click on the above link to see the 99 Bills currently posted for consideration by the House of Representative's Public Education Committee.  They deal with various relevant subjects such as bullying, closing schools, offering American Sign Language in high school, etc.  But there are also bills which don't really directly relate to the education or the educational environment such as the bill that would prohibit someone from removing the Ten Commandments if posted in a public school classroom.  Is this really important to our children's education in the classroom?  Shouldn't our legislators be considering more critical issues like funding?

Texas' Actions Reported by the NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/education/15texas.html

Current Issues Facing School Finance

Current Issues Facing Educational Funding in Texas

General Diffusion of Knowledge

The Texas Constitution requires a public education system to support the General Diffusion of Knowledge (GDK). There is not a Constitutional or statutory definition of GDK. Many people had defined GDK as the accreditation and accountability rating requirements that currently apply to public schools. Judge Dietz, in his ruling in West Orange-Cove v. Neeley, identified the entire education system with all its requirements and mandates as being needed for a GDK.

Adequate Funding

No definition or measure of adequacy exists in Texas law or rule. Recently, researchers and policy experts have begun to consider adequate funding to be the level of resources needed so that all students can meet all the state and federal requirements for testing, school attendance, and graduation. Some believe that adequate funding should also include the cost of school district operations, meaning adherence to all laws and rules. At least three studies to determine adequacy of funding have been recently conducted using Texas data. The results of these studies were presented at trial in West Orange-Cove v. Neeley. In his ruling, September 2004, the trial court judge found that the Texas education system was not adequately funded.

Fiscal capacity

Out of about 1,032 school districts, about 700 are at or approaching the $1.50 M&O limit while Texas ' public school system continues to grow by approximately 70,000 students per year.

With some districts facing job cuts and salary cuts and others simply unable to provide for the influx of new students in high-growth areas of the state, school districts generally agree the system needs to be restructured because they lack the fiscal capacity to respond to changing enrollments and changing requirements of state and federal law.

Local Discretion

Local discretion is the ability of school districts to raise additional revenue to meet unique district and community needs. If a school district experiences a costly problem like building mold, the district will need discretion to raise additional funds for mold remediation and temporary housing of students who are temporarily displaced. Other discretional expenditures may be related to community desires. For example, school district patrons may want a theater facility at the high school. Or they may want to introduce foreign language study in elementary school. To raise funds, districts need some local discretion to raise revenue through taxation----or else have the ability to draw down state funds for such purposes.

Spending

According to Rankings & Estimates, produced by the National Education Association Research group (May 2004), current expenditures per pupil in Texas are $7,330 for 2003-04. The national average, by comparison, is $8,156. This ranks Texas 32nd among the states in spending per pupil. “Current expenditures” in this publication include operating expenditures (salaries, books, material, transportation, energy, etc), capital outlay, and debt service.

Important Info. from Texas PTA

Quick Links Texas PTA Website    Texas PTA Legislative Information    Texas PTA Weekly Legislative Report    March 2 - Fund Texas' Future Day! Dear Public Education Advocates,   Forward this email to everyone in your community who cares about Texas students! It's the biggest crisis in Texas history.  Nearly five million Texas students need our help.  Texas PTA is proclaiming Wednesday, March 2, as "Fund Texas' Future Day."  It's imperative we make sure our "house is in order" - the Texas House of Representatives in Austin, that is.  Please light up cyberspace by emailing your state representative on Wednesday, March 2. Find Your Representative Use this website to find your representative:  http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/.   Once you've identified your state representative, use this format for his/her email address:  First name (dot) last name (@) house (dot) state (dot) tx (dot) us Then utilize the points below that will most influence your state representative.   Please personalize your message, but here are some important points to include in your email to your state representative: Texas PTA's legislative position is that funding public education is a priority. Regardless of what your campaign promises might have been, there are nearly five million reasons for you to look at all sources of funding to protect public education.   Cutting funding to public education is not acceptable. The Rainy Day Fund and all revenue sources should be considered to fund Texas's future. Texas children are our future. Texas businesses cannot thrive without an educated workforce.  The economic viability of our state is directly related to the education of our children.  March 2 is the day for PTA to take over cyberspace and let our voices be heard to protect our future - Texas students! In addition, beginning March 2, Texas PTA encourages all schools to include the message, "Fund Texas' Future" on their marquees. Logo Download    Download this logo at http://www.txpta.org/legislative/legislative-school-finance/ to use in publications or communications you send out.

Forward email This email was sent to carrie.stewart@swbell.net by txpta@txpta.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Texas PTA | 408 West 11th Street | Austin | TX | 78701-2113