Texas teachers are the front line in the public education system. When most individuals look back at their accomplishments in life, they attribute strong influence to or can track their success to a single teacher. However, the current salary structure does not take this into account. Teacher salaries are low141 and the state suffers from a teacher shortage.142

Mike Moses, the Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District and former Texas Education Agency Commissioner, presented testimony to the Joint Select Committee on Public School Finance. He stated, “. . . Texas education has been lauded and recognized for its improvements . . . Most of the credit though, must go to teachers, parents and administrators and ultimately, the students.” (emphasis added)143

Teachers should be compensated appropriately for their work and dedication. This past legislative session, teachers were hit hard. Effective salaries and health care benefits for current school teachers and other local school district employees were reduced or eliminated.144 Retired teachers also saw a significant increase in the costs of their benefits. Moreover, the cost of teacher contributions to the Teacher Retirement System doubled during the 78th Legislative Session.145

The significance and the contributions of these dedicated individuals must be recognized. As the debate moves forward, efforts should be made to ensure that policy decisions regarding school finance and spending do not adversely impact educational employees. State cuts in benefits for these employees must be restored. The Task Force’s goals are to improve teacher pay, benefits and working conditions, including the preservation of the 22:1 ratio which ensures smaller class sizes.