Austin schools superintendent mulling raises, tax increase for 2012-13

In a speech Wednesday that included more than a little showmanship by the Austin school district's chief administrator, Superintendent Meria Carstarphen announced that she will ask the school board to lift the district's declaration of a financial emergency in January.

She also said she believes she will be able to get at least a 3 percent salary increase for staff in the 2012-13 school year — with the stipulation that voters approve a tax rate election to pay for it in the out years.

Carstarphen made the announcements during her annual State of the District address, which featured performances by both the superintendent and students meant to drive home the idea that, after last year's budget cuts and funding uncertainty, the district's financial situation is stable.

"The clouds are indeed clearing, and we have a lot to look forward to in AISD," said Carstarphen, who started the program Gene Kelly-style in a yellow rain jacket and galoshes dancing to "Singin' in the Rain."

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Districts shortchanging poor students, study finds,

More than 40 percent of U.S. school districts are short-changing campuses with high concentrations of low-income children, according to a federal study released Wednesday.

The Houston Independent School District is one of the biggest offenders, according to the report from the U.S. Department of Education, and proposed changes to federal education law could cost HISD.

The study compares how much districts spend on schools with high and low numbers of poor children.

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At his annual state of the district address, held at Cedar Park High School, Superintendent Bret Champion Tuesday night told about 35 parents and administrators that the district must continue to do more with less.

"We have less money per student than we did in the past," Champion said. "We have more kids and fewer people to do the job."

Throughout Central Texas, school districts took knives to spending, eliminating programs and thousands of positions. Few felt the cuts as keenly as the fast-growing Leander school district, which decided not to open a new elementary and new middle school this school year, leaving other campuses stretching their limits.

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The School Finance Suits Will...

Our insiders have seen a few school finance lawsuits, so we asked how seriously they're taking this new round. On a scale of 1 to 5, 82 percent gave it either a 4 or a 5. They think it's the real deal.

They're not as united when asked whether the lawsuits will have some impact on the 2012 elections. But a clear majority thinks school finance — independent of the lawsuits — will be an issue in this election cycle in Texas.

Even if the lawsuits don't become an election issue, the insiders think they will certainly have an impact on the 2013 legislative session. Previous school finance lawsuits have forced legislators to make expensive repairs to the system.

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Nuclear Site Dedicated

WCS president Rod Baltzer presents Andrews mayor Robert Zap with a plaque in recognition of Andrews' support for Waste Control Specialists. To Zap's right are Andrews councilmen Ron McCormack and Charles Vought.

The Texas Compact Disposal Facility is owned by the state of Texas, operated by WCS, and hosted and supported by Andrews County.

"For tbe first time in decades, generators have the opportunity to send waste to a site specifically designed to permanently sequester waste in a facility that will protect human health and environment," said WCS chief executive officer William Ltmdquist. "As operator of the facility, we are ready to begin accepting waste on behalf of the Compact and the state of Texas, and we look forward to the very near future when that first shipment

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Schools Sue State Over Funding

Texas school districts and parents are once again asking the courts for help to get more equitable funding for public schools.

A coalition representing public school districts, taxpayers and parents sued the state Monday night. The Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition claims the state's public school finance system is unconstitutional because it doesn't treat Texas taxpayers and school children fairly.

Texas lawmakers were warned a lawsuit was likely when they cut $5 billion in school funding this year and didn't address simmering complaints about widespread inequities and inadequate funding.

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