With the opening of the Texas Legislature on January 14th, the Allen ISD administration and Board of Trustees set a clear and singular priority for the Legislature: Provide appropriate funding for all Texas public schools.

The issue of appropriately funding Texas public schools is one that will deeply impact students, families, and educators in Allen and across the state. As our legislators have returned to work in the Texas Capitol, we must all realize that the action, or inaction, on this serious issue will likely shape the future of public education in Texas.

Discussions regarding funding for Texas schools have occurred for several years now. Efforts to increase public school funding in 2023 were derailed when a legislative package that included teacher pay raises and additional per-student funding failed to move forward at the last minute due to political infighting. That unsuccessful legislative bill withheld critical funding for our schools. As the Legislature reconvenes in 2025, we call upon our elected officials to make public education funding a priority, ensuring that resources meant for our students and teachers are used to support their success.

Inflation Continues to Rise with No Support on the Horizon

Across Texas, public schools are grappling with increasing costs due to inflation and critical teacher and staff shortages. Yet, the state’s Basic Allotment — the foundational funding amount provided to schools — has not been adjusted since 2019, leaving districts like Allen ISD to absorb rising costs without adequate support.

For example, Allen ISD’s property insurance for its existing buildings skyrocketed by more than $350,000 last year. That total is equal to about six teaching positions. Property insurance is expected to rise again this year, along with even higher costs for utilities, fuel, and other necessary resources. Allen ISD has to maintain property insurance on its buildings, keep the lights on, and heat and cool our classrooms, yet the State has made no effort to support public schools as these costs continue to rise.

Why is Allen ISD in this Situation?

You may ask yourself, “Why doesn’t Allen ISD have adequate funding if my property taxes continue to increase?”

That is a great question and one that all property owners should ask. In short, Allen ISD is one of many school districts in Texas that must pay into Chapter 49 Recapture, also known as the Robin Hood plan. Allen ISD is projected to surrender nearly $4 million of the money collected from local taxpayers to the State of Texas. This money is taken from local tax collections and is no longer available for Allen ISD students.

Further complicating the issue is the fact that Allen ISD is no longer growing in enrollment. As residential areas begin to reach build-out in our community, our student population has declined by 900 students since 2020, and further enrollment drops are projected in future years. Allen High School continues to graduate large senior classes. Still, incoming kindergarten classes remain small as birthrates decline and high home prices cause young families to look for housing outside of Allen. Funding is tied to student enrollment, and a declining enrollment results in less funding for staff and programs in our district.

What is the Plan Moving Forward?

Allen ISD and the Board of Trustees reduced this year’s overall budget by more than $8 million, mainly through attrition of administrative personnel positions across the district and efficiencies in other areas, with virtually no impact on our campuses. Allen ISD will need to again reduce its budget by another $6 million to $8 million for the 2025-2026 school year, but that will be impossible without impacting some of the services and programs we offer at our campuses. Allen ISD will be forced to make difficult choices impacting our schools this semester and into the next school year as enrollment falls and inflation costs continue to rise. The inability of the Texas Legislature to properly fund public schools only exacerbates the dire situation.

Despite the challenges ahead, Allen ISD remains committed to delivering excellent academic and extracurricular programs, but we need the Legislature to step up and provide the support our students and staff deserve. We urge you to join us in advocating for public school funding by reaching out to your elected state officials. Your voice matters in championing the needs of our students and the future of public education.