If there was ever a time to involve yourself in the Legislative process in Texas, it's now Dragons! Carroll ISD is asking all parents, business leaders, educators, taxpayers and students to write letters to our lawmakers asking them to Make Education A Priority! We're asking for no more cuts to public education, equitable and fair funding for all school districts, and for lawmakers to stop sending us mandates that are taxing on our local budgets. We want them to allow our locally-elected School Board members to make the most effective and efficient decisions for the children of this community. After all, our Trustees know the standards and expectations of parents in this community and they have the greatest knowledge of the operating budget and the priorities at the local level.
What started as a simple movement by a School Board member in Aledo ISD has become an active campaign to have our voices heard at the State Capitol. We hope to deliver AT LEAST one letter or postcard representing each student enrolled in our district. That's 7,676 letters or postcards that will be delivered in person in Austin. Our stage will be the 82nd Legislative Session and we will not be there alone. Nearly half of the public school districts in Texas have joined this effort to send a message to the men and women elected to represent us!
There are those who believe these efforts futile. There are those who won't take the time to participate, but we hope most of you will. This message is important. In fact, it's too important for us not to try. We are at a critical stage in public education funding. With a reported $27 billion deficit in Texas, lawmakers are going to be challenged to make cuts. Right now, word from financial experts in the state is that public education can expect anywhere from 5-15% cuts across the board. With more than 60 percent of the districts already operating a deficit budget, this news is devastating. What could it mean locally? Experts say CISD could stand to lose anywhere from $3 million to $9 million on top of our current deficit.
And yet we are doing our part to get our house in order locally. For the past two years, we have been working to reduce the overall operating deficit here at home. We've already cut about $2.1 million - mostly in central office budget reductions and through positions lost to a declining enrollment. The School Board has worked tirelessly to find creative ways to enhance our financial position, so that the next round of cuts won't hurt children in the classroom. The district has reduced its overall utility bills, cut back in spending on supplies, travel and professional development and has taken advantage of the federal government's Build America Bonds, saving local taxpayers millions. Our fund balance is healthy, but only because the leaders of this district have carefully planned, saved and taken advantage of every opportunity available to us to raise revenue and reduce expenses. That healthy fund balance won't last forever, however, and the time to act is now.
There are just a few days left in our letter-writing campaign. It's our hope that every Carroll Dragon will participate. If you are a two-parent household, write two letters and sign two postcards. If you have school-age children, write a letter for each of them and have your older children write their own letter. If you are a classroom teacher, write a letter . . .a custodian or bus driver? Write a letter. We are all in this situation together and together, we have the strongest opportunity to make a difference.
Our website link takes you to a page that offers talking points, budget facts and sample letters. The postcards - printed using private donations - will be available this week in all our Carroll schools. We've set up a special email address to accept your letters electronically - everychildcounts@southlakecarroll.edu - and we pledge to hand deliver every letter and/or postcard we receive.
The rest, Dragons, is up to you. We cannot write your letter for you. The lawmakers we have spoken to say that the real way to enact change in Austin is to hear from their voters, their constituents - the people they are elected to represent. We need you to help us protect public education funding. We aren't even asking for them to do away with Robin Hood or send us more money. This message is about protecting their investment in the future and NOT allowing public education spending to be cut. Our children are too important.
If we've ever needed your attention, your time, your writing skills - it's now! I've been a part of this school district for 14 years. What I love most about this community is actually the envy of others - our ability to unite and get things done for our children. The resources are here; the message is clear. Will you take a few moments today and participate in the Carroll Dragon letter writing campaign?
Thank you in advance for making a difference. You truly represent The Power of One!
