‘Business Associates’ Are Making Billions in Charter Schools While Texas Public School Vouchers Become a Problem
Hello SAISD Parents,
This week, under the dome in Austin, the 88th legislation is going over several bills. There is an ongoing battle about Senate Bill 176, which Republican Sen. Middleton filed; this bill would create a school voucher program. Now, this idea is one that our Governor and Lieutenant Governor support because they believe it would help our educational system by giving parents a choice between sending their child to a private or public school.
School Voucher System- ‘Business Associates’ Filling Bank Accounts
The school voucher system is something that would decrease our public school funding. This idea looks like a sparkling diamond of hope, but in reality, it’s just the opposite. The fate of our educational system is in the hands of politicians and their “business associates” that are just trying to fill their bank accounts. When our Texas politicians passed SB1882 in 2017, it opened a gateway for new charter schools and nonprofits coming into Texas to take over some of our local schools. These Charter Schools are accessible to the public, funded with local and state taxes, and often receive private donations from wealthy people or their foundations. Yes, all Charter Schools are free, but they’re not all held to the same accountability as our Public Schools. The State Board of Education in Texas states that all Public Schools are held more accountable than local charter schools. Charter Schools face fewer government regulations because their standards are set by a group such as a nonprofit, some local school districts and teachers, and, sometimes, parents. Now they both face the possibility of being shut down if they don’t meet their standards. But if that happens to a public school, it makes room for a charter school to utilize SB1882 to take over that school.
If Texas passes SB176 allowing Texas to create the voucher program, we must ask what will happen to all the public schools. Then we need to ask if all of our children can attend a private school and what accountability the State Board of Education uses to ensure that these schools are educating our children. We must also ask will these private schools allow our children with learning disabilities to attend their schools and what accommodations would be available to our children.
Hiojosa Pushes Back on Voucher System
As we move forward, SB176 has faced some pushback from House Democrats like Hinojosa, former president of the Austin school board, who has stated that the vouchers would further entrench a caste system in education. In a statement, he said, “We already have two parallel school systems [because] charter schools don’t take all kids. With the proposed vouchers that the governor is for, we’re talking about funding three parallel school systems, when the one that takes all kids – our neighborhood public schools – is just barely hanging on.” Meanwhile, Hinojosa has also filed House Bill 31, which would get more money to school districts by basing their funding on enrollment rather than attendance.
TAX DOLLARS ALLEGEDLY SPENT ON RANCHES, BOX SEATS, AND CONDOS
As I have researched some Charter Schools like IDEA, I have read about the founders and board members spending our Texas tax dollars on Ranches, Condos, Box seats at sporting events, etc. Then as IDEA was under investigation for all these luxurious purchases, the former CEO Tom Torkelson, Founder, and co-founder, was trying to lease a private jet for 15 million dollars so he could travel between Texas and Louisiana. As this information became public, IDEA dropped the contract to hire that jet. A TEA report began as early as 2015 when a whistleblower came forward with information that IDEA was facing financial malpractice. During that time and as of today, IDEA has received $3 billion in funding for its 143 schools and 30 of them are in San Antonio. Since then, Tom Torkelson has stepped down, and IDEA had to pay him an undisclosed settlement amount. Today, IDEA has the former TEA deputy commissioner Jeff Cottrill as their new superintendent.
THE SKETCHY LEADERSHIP WAS REPLACED
The two CEOs who oversaw IDEA finances have left as well. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that all Charter Schools are immoral or thieves, but as parents and community members, we need to ensure that no matter what school our children attend, they are all spending the money on our children’s education.
KEEPING AN EYE OUT ON WHAT’S COMING
Lastly, we have some other educational bills that I am keeping an eye on this 88TH legislation.
• HB 770 by Alma Allen (D-Houston) would provide an across-the-board step increase plus $400 to all certified educators.
• HB 1115 by Ana Hernandez (D-Houston) and HB 1137 by Armando Martinez (D-Weslaco) would tie TRS annuities to inflation.
• HB 301 by Glenn Rogers (R-Graford) would provide a 6% TRS cost-of-living adjustment capped at $100 per month for all TRS members who retired before August 2021.
• SB 193 by Borris Miles (D-Houston) would require schools to alert parents if a school has no on-campus nurse.
• HB 991 by Terry Meza (D-Dallas) would establish a $15 minimum wage for school bus drivers.
• HB 977 by Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) would create a commission to improve current assessment and accountability systems.
• HB 342 by John Bucy (D-Round Rock) would provide full-day Pre-K to 3- and 4-year-olds.
• HB51 by Jarvis Johnson(D-Houston) relating to abolishing Confederate Heroes Day
If anyone has any questions or concerns please contact me at lena.lopez@saobserver.com
Have a Blessed Week,
Lena Lopez
