Jessica Swanson and Marguerite Roza
Published March 30, 2022 by the Houston Chronicle
For over two decades, Houston Independent School District has doled out dollars in a way that drives more money to schools with more students in poverty and empowers principals with a meaningful say in how their dollars are spent. This equity- and school-focused funding approach is part of the district’s DNA and enshrined as a policy pillar. Now, the new superintendent is fast-tracking plans to reverse course and shift nearly a billion dollars in spending decisions away from school principals and up to central office, replacing a long-running student-based formula with a more rigid staffing one.
In this op ed, the authors call for the school board to take the time to ensure a full public vetting process for this finance flip.
