After February's winter storm, it felt like we had all reached our breaking point. Families who were already struggling with lack of bandwidth and fundamental goods are now dealing with a lack of electricity and busted pipes. Again, districts found a way to help families in need by providing meals, warming centers, or simply by calling students to let them know they care – even while the Districts faced their own damages and repairs.
Using their normal budgets throughout the pandemic, districts have provided academic interventions, safety supplies, masks, shields, clear desk dividers, new hand sanitizing stations, new safety signage and the list goes on and on. It is mind blowing that the districts have supported their students the way they have without additional funding.
We appreciate that the first set of federal stimulus and recovery funding went to supplant the state's budget holes. The concern is that the second round of federal funding given to Texas - $5.5 billion - has not been released to support our schools. This is staggering for the districts who are not only working overtime to teach students to ensure they close gaps due to educational loss during the pandemic, but who are also trying to keep their students safe, fed, and cared for.
Additionally, TEA has not decided, as of Friday, if they are going to hold-harmless for districts attendance loss in the second semester. This means that they will punish schools for losing enrollment during a pandemic. We cannot believe this is even a question. They are also asking districts to PROVE that they are looking for students who have not showed-up for school. This is completely unfair and distracting as everyone knows how hard districts are trying to get their students back to campus or on zoom.
We are up for this fight! We started last week to put out information on social media and will do much more as the weeks go by. Follow us and help get the word out.
So, what can you do?
First, feel free to educate yourself on the issues. Here's a good article: Texas schools didn't get additional funding from the CARES Act (statesman.com)
Contact Gov. Abbott and tell him to release the $5.5 billion of federal funds to the districts.
Contact your legislator and tell them that the districts need to be held-harmless for the rest of the school year and not to use the federal dollars to lessen the state’s obligation to public education.
Gov. Abbott office: https://gov.texas.gov/contact
Find your legislator: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home
We would also love to hear your stories about purchases you have made to support your kids in a pandemic. How has the pandemic affected your school or district? email info@proudlyrooted.com
There are many advocates fighting this fight along with us and we hope to make a difference. It will take all of us but we know this is a battle that is worth the effort. Let's do this.
