Alief ISD is a special community.
In the heart of the fourth largest city in the U.S., Alief ISD stands out as a culturally rich and high-performing district full of incredibly talented students, and extremely dedicated educators. This community is special. More than 90 languages are spoken here, which brings a vibrant mix of cultures to our schools. As unique as Alief ISD is, our district, like many others across the state, is feeling the weight of the Texas school finance system.
Right now, school districts across Texas are feeling the pinch as budget belts tighten.
Inflation is on the rise, but state funding hasn’t gotten stronger. Even with a massive $32 billion surplus fueled by your property taxes, the Texas Legislature hasn’t used their surplus to increase the basic student allotment. In fact, it hasn’t been raised since 2019. That means for the past five years, our schools have been expected to lift more with less support.
It’s not just about numbers.
This lack of funding growth is making it tougher to tackle essentials like teacher salaries and other vital areas needed for student success.
With Texas ranking 40th in the U.S. in public education funding, districts are stretching every dollar and facing more demands without the needed financial resources to build their strength.
Maintaining Financial Health In the Face of Challenges
Alief ISD has a proud history of financial responsibility; passing and maintaining responsible budgets, providing competitive salaries and health insurance packages for staff, and building a healthy fund balance to prepare for potential challenges. But instead of flexing from a position of financial strength, we find ourselves facing heavy stressors challenging the local school budget.
Just as the cost of maintaining a healthy lifestyle goes up – like buying nutritious food, purchasing exercise equipment, or other fitness initiatives – the basic expenses of running our schools have also increased. Simply put, inflation continues to outpace state funding. Whether it’s fueling a bus, serving a hot lunch, or just turning on the lights and water, just about everything costs more than it did five years ago.
Districts are also facing a real challenge in keeping their teaching team strong. Since the COVID pandemic, it’s been tougher than ever to recruit and retain teachers and support staff. Seasoned educators are leaving the profession at an alarming rate, and everyone is competing to attract and retain the best and brightest from a small pool of applicants. Sadly, Texas lawmakers failed to provide financial support for teacher raises this last Legislative session.
$3.04
Average price for milk in 2019
$4.01
Average price for milk in 2024
The Goal of Fiscal Fitness
Imagine Alief ISD as a top-tier gym, equipped with all the best gear where champions are made complete with trainers who can push athletes to the next level, modern and future-focused equipment, and other essentials for success. Just as elite athletes rely on quality resources to excel, our students need solid funding to provide the opportunities, curriculum and educators that propel them to success.
Fiscal Fitness is all about keeping things simple and clear for our community. By sharing the real deal on our finances, we aim to clear up any confusion and build a stronger understanding of Texas public school finance and how it plays into the daily routine here in Alief ISD.
