Residents urge state funding boost for schools, oppose vouchers during citizen comments

Two residents used the citizen comment period at the Colony City Council meeting to urge action on school funding at the state level and to oppose vouchers.

Chris Waddell (address given in the record) told council that public schools in Texas are "at breaking point" and argued that the state must raise the basic allotment per student and tie it to inflation. He said the per-student basic allotment has been $6,160 since 2019 and alleged Texas has a large education surplus and sizable recapture transfers to the state general fund; Waddell called for an increase of $1,600 per student tied to the Consumer Price Index and for full funding based on enrollment rather than attendance. He also urged that recapture funds be deposited into the state education fund rather than the general fund and said he opposed vouchers.

Georgina Bustos followed, repeating figures about deficits in nearby districts and arguing the broader local economy is harmed by underfunded schools. Bustos said Lewisville ISD had a $22 million deficit, Denton ISD $24 million and Frisco ISD $31 million (as presented), and asserted the Colony ISD sent over $60 million to the state's general fund in 2022. She cited studies linking school funding to future wages, family income and property values and urged council members to contact state legislators in support of a $1,600 basic allotment increase tied to inflation.

Both speakers framed their remarks as appeals to state lawmakers and called on council members to advocate for changes in Austin; no formal council action on school funding was taken during the meeting.