Equitable funding in the public school system is arguably the most important issue raised in the school finance debate. If Robin Hood is replaced or remains intact, the emphasis must be on increasing the level of equity among school districts. Texas schools have made significant gains under the current system, but funding gaps still exist.

The Equity Center recently published a summary of existing discrepancies in the February edition of their monthly newsletter “News & Notes.” The Center explains that the average property wealthy district currently has access to $529 (using weighted average daily attendance) per student more than the average district eligible for recaptured funds from M&O taxes.117 Moreover, because I&S taxes are not subject to recapture, the funding disparity in the current year increases by an additional $480. As mentioned above, the total funding gap is over $1000 a student.118

The recent “Pledge for Prosperity” circulated by MALC members serving on the Joint Select Committee on Public School Finance and House Select Committee on Public School Finance, respectively, proposes that, “The law providing educational revenue must ensure that all children have equal access to the resources necessary for an excellent education.”119 The Task Force strongly supports this statement and reiterates the importance of “closing the gap” when considering any public school finance proposals.