MALDEF sues to end property tax and go to income tax in Texas

[CosmicCowboy]

So you are saying all districts are equally funded?

Pretty much, yes. Since 1995.

Now if you want to make the case that the poorer districts need more money because they have tier students feel free to proceed...

[Blake]

Pretty much, yes. Since 1995.

Now if you want to make the case that the poorer districts need more money because they have tier students feel free to proceed...

so you are saying that these property-poor districts are suing because they actually want more money than what is being given to the property-rich district?

[DMX7]

David Hinojosa, MALDEF's Southwest Regional Counsel, said at a news conference there is a $1,000 gap between students in low-income schools compared to those in higher income districts.

Where did they get this number from?

[CosmicCowboy]

Where did they get this number from?

He's lying. The state of Texas tracks it by school district. He says it and idiots like you believe it.

[CosmicCowboy]

so you are saying that these property-poor districts are suing because they actually want more money than what is being given to the property-rich district?

No, I'm saying they are suing because they want to completely invalidate property taxes in Texas and have the courts force us to go to an income tax.

[DMX7]

He's lying. The state of Texas tracks it by school district. He says it and idiots like you believe it.

I didn't say I believe it. I want to know where he got that number from. I thought because you seem pretty interested in this subject that you might at least have a clue to where the central claim he's making came from.

[coyotes_geek]

Where did they get this number from?

Probably just cherry-picking some districts and just comparing those.

For anyone with the motivation, there's plenty of data available here:

http://www.fastexas.org/

School district financial data for the San Antonio area:

https://ourcpa.cpa.state.tx.us/fast/...ctFinancial.do

[coyotes_geek]

After digging into some numbers, it sure looks like there isn't any set trend that says school districts serving low income areas are systematically spending less per student than districts serving high income areas. Seems like you can just as easily find a "poor" district outspending a "rich" one as you can a "rich" one outspending a "poor" one.

[CosmicCowboy]

After digging into some numbers, it sure looks like there isn't any set trend that says school districts serving low income areas are systematically spending less per student than districts serving high income areas. Seems like you can just as easily find a "poor" district outspending a "rich" one as you can a "rich" one outspending a "poor" one.

Exactly what I was trying to tell these guys...I had done the research previously...

[coyotes_geek]

Edgewood ISD here in San Antonio is one of four Texas school districts that have joined the lawsuit brought by three parents.

David Hinojosa, MALDEF's Southwest Regional Counsel, said at a news conference there is a $1,000 gap between students in low-income schools compared to those in higher income districts.

"Everyone of these kids deserves a chance to go to college if they want to. Everyone deserves a chance to earn scholarships," Hinojosa said.

Under the current school finance system, Hinojosa said Edgewood elementary students don't have the same chance to make it to college as their peers in higher income districts.

Spending per student (source)

Edgewood ISD: $8,758

Alamo Heights: $8,864
Northside: $7,605
Northeast: $8,105

Picking Edgewood to be part of the lawsuit doesn't appear to support MALDEF's position here.

[DMX7]

That's why I was asking where that number came from. I was going through that database earlier today and didn't see anything remarkable.

You can even go by high school and compare ACT/SAT scores.

[MannyIsGod]

More like people who live in school districts populated with cheap houses don't think their kids should have to receive a lesser education simply because the houses in their school districts don't cost as much as the houses in another school district. They've got a point.

[CosmicCowboy]

But Manny...

They are getting the same amount of money...

Why aren't their kids getting an equal education?

maybe because education isn't something you can just deposit in kids like the state deposits money in the "poor" districts bank accounts?

[Blake]

Spending per student (source)

Edgewood ISD: $8,758

Alamo Heights: $8,864
Northside: $7,605
Northeast: $8,105

Picking Edgewood to be part of the lawsuit doesn't appear to support MALDEF's position here.

Edgewood also spends less per teacher.


Teachers with 1-5 Years of Experience Average Salary -

Edgewood ISD (Bexar County) $46,360

Northside ISD (Bexar County) $47,513
North East ISD $48,950
Alamo Heights ISD $49,760



My ex did some observation at Brentwood Middle School during one ofher education classes. I took her on Sunday before to show her how to get there.

It looked like a dump. I recall at least 3 broken classroom windows. The A/C was out for a week during her time there.

Could very well be that they spend the same amount of dollars a year as anyone else.

Could also very well be that they need more than anyone else just to maintain what some of us would consider normalcy.

[CosmicCowboy]

Edgewood also spends less per teacher.


Teachers with 1-5 Years of Experience Average Salary -

Edgewood ISD (Bexar County) $46,360

Northside ISD (Bexar County) $47,513
North East ISD $48,950
Alamo Heights ISD $49,760



My ex did some observation at Brentwood Middle School during one ofher education classes. I took her on Sunday before to show her how to get there.

It looked like a dump. I recall at least 3 broken classroom windows. The A/C was out for a week during her time there.

Could very well be that they spend the same amount of dollars a year as anyone else.

Could also very well be that they need more than anyone else just to maintain what some of us would consider normalcy.

Money is not the answer. There really isn't a good answer.

It sucks but thats the reality.

Uninvolved parents breed uninvolved students.

ALL the school districts can deliver a decent education to students that want to learn.

[DMX7]

Money is not the answer. There really isn't a good answer.

It sucks but thats the reality.

Uninvolved parents breed uninvolved students.

ALL the school districts can deliver a decent education to students that want to learn.

More like money alone is not the answer.

[spursncowboys]

Money is not the answer. There really isn't a good answer.

It sucks but thats the reality.

Uninvolved parents breed uninvolved students.

ALL the school districts can deliver a decent education to students that want to learn.

The Freakonomics books came to that conclusion. If a kid is doing better from a "good" school than a kid in a "bad" school, instead of the school being the reason. They hypothesized that it was probably more to do with parents being more involved in their kids education (looking for a "good" school before they move into the area). Same for the fact that houses with books in the house have kids who test higher. The books aren't the answer but rather the fact that the parents statistically take a larger stake of reading.

[spursncowboys]

So we are all in agreement that we should have a voucher system?

[DMX7]

So we are all in agreement that we should have a voucher system?

No.

[Blake]

Money is not the answer. There really isn't a good answer.

It sucks but thats the reality.

Uninvolved parents breed uninvolved students.

ALL the school districts can deliver a decent education to students that want to learn.

I'd agree that simply handing schools more money solves nothing.

Imo, start cutting out 11th and 12th grades for those that have no desire to be there.

More trade schools as well....

[Blake]

So we are all in agreement that we should have a voucher system?

no

[Winehole23]

Why is it impossible?

You don't see where there might be a political problem with offering a resettlement bonus to everyone on the dole?

[Winehole23]

If you're poor or you're just unfortunate and need help, Texas doesn't want you.

Go away.

[Winehole23]

Texas is for winners. you, sir or madam, are a welfare recipient and ipso facto, a loser.

[Winehole23]

here are some brochures on SW Wyoming