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Trustees hear advocacy briefing on school funding and vouchers; designate 10 non-business PIA days for 2025
Summary
District leadership briefed trustees on state school-finance proposals, voucher proposals and local advocacy steps. Separately, the board approved a resolution designating 10 non-business days under the Texas Public Information Act for calendar year 2025 (6–1 vote).
District staff presented a briefing on state school finance developments, proposed voucher and ESA legislation, and local advocacy priorities. The presentation, led by Ms. Moore, explained how current Foundation School Program funding and proposed changes at the Texas Legislature could affect West Oso ISD and urged trustees and community members to contact legislators.
Ms. Moore said per-pupil funding has not risen significantly since 2019 and estimated that, to keep pace with inflation, a per-pupil amount of approximately $7,500 would be needed compared with about $6,160 currently used for basic funding calculations. She reviewed proposals moving through the legislature, including a voucher/ESA proposal that would provide roughly $10,000 per private-school slot and noted concerns about diverting state and potentially federal funds. "This has nothing to do...with giving poor kids a chance," Ms. Moore said of some proposals, noting the bills’ eligibility thresholds could allow families well above the poverty line to qualify.
Trustees discussed possible community education and advocacy steps. Ms. Moore said the district will publish legislative updates and packet material on the district website and encouraged public contacts with state lawmakers and other advocacy actions.
Board action on a separate agenda item: Trustees voted 6–1 to designate 10 non-business days for calculating the district’s response deadlines under the Texas Public Information Act (PIA) for calendar year 2025. The motion to adopt the listed dates was made and seconded during the meeting; the roll call recorded Liz Gutierrez as the lone nay. The board discussed that the non-business PIA days are intended to account for scheduled district breaks and allow staff additional time to assemble complex public-information requests.
Why it matters: The advocacy briefing described how potential state-level policy changes — especially voucher/ESA proposals and shifts in how districts are funded — could materially affect district revenue. The board’s PIA non-business days designation sets official deadlines the public may rely on when filing requests for public records.
