Payroll Costs Dominate the District’s Budget
Payroll costs make up an astonishing 85% of the operating budget of Lewisville ISD, accounting for the salaries of over 6,000 employees. This includes teachers, librarians, instructional aides, bus drivers, custodians, principals, administrators, and many others who work tirelessly to educate our children. Other significant expenditures include utilities, contracted services, student educational resources, classroom supplies, equipment, travel, and legal and audit services.
Misconceptions about Per-Pupil Funding
When it comes to funding Texas public schools, one of the most commonly cited figures is the amount of money allocated “per student.” At first glance, this number seems straightforward—an easy way to understand how much funding our schools receive. However, this average is misleading and fails to reflect the reality of what school districts like Lewisville ISD actually receive to educate each child.
- Payroll costs are the largest expense, accounting for 85% of the district’s budget.
- The basic allotment of $6,160 per student has remained unchanged since 2019.
- The state’s average of $10,800 per student is based on all sources of school funding, but not every student benefits from the specialized allotments.
- The higher amounts received in special education and CTE allotments inflate the overall average calculation.
The Basic Allotment: A Basic Guarantee
The foundation of school funding in Texas is the basic allotment—the guaranteed amount per student that the state provides to support a basic education. This amount has remained unchanged since 2019, currently standing at $6,160 per student. However, this figure does not reflect the actual amount of money schools receive or can use for every child’s education.
- The basic allotment does not account for specialized allotments, which benefit students with specific needs.
- The state’s average of $10,800 per student is inflated by the higher amounts received in these allotments.
- The actual amount of money schools receive is much lower, with estimates suggesting $4,953 per student, adjusted for inflation.
Recapture and Inflation
Due to inflation, the value of the basic allotment has significantly declined. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, what was $6,160 in 2019 now has the purchasing power of just $4,953 today. This means that districts like LISD are expected to do more with significantly less, while costs for everything from teacher salaries and utilities to classroom materials continue to rise.
| Source of Funding | Actual Amount per Student | Percentage of Total Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Bond Funds | $15,000 | 5% |
| Teacher Retirement System | $10,000 | 3% |
| Texas Education Agency | $5,000 | 2% |
No Inflation Adjustment in the School Funding Formula
I often get asked, “is there a required adjustment for inflation in the school funding formula?” The answer is simply no. Currently, there is no obligation in law that requires the state to consider inflation as part of school funding.
Conclusion
There are more than 5 million students in Texas public schools, and the basic allotment is the dollar amount that impacts every child in Texas public schools. The current funding formula is based on the basic allotment of $6,160 per student, but this figure does not reflect the actual amount of money schools receive or can use for every child’s education. The basic allotment has declined in value due to inflation, and districts like LISD are expected to do more with significantly less. It is essential that we re-examine our school funding formula to ensure that every child receives the support they need to succeed. Invest in Texas Public Schools. Invest in Texas.
Investing in Texas public schools is essential for the future success of our children, communities, and economy. By addressing the issues with our school funding formula, we can provide every student with the resources they need to thrive.
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