Dear Public School Advocate,

Monday (June 2) marked the end of the 89th Texas Legislature. We thank you for all you have done these past few months to advocate for our Texas public schools!

This session produced wide-reaching impacts for Texas schools. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the Capitol.

• Public School Funding – The House and Senate were able to reach a compromise on House Bill 2, which adds $8.5 billion in new funding to Texas public schools through teacher and staff raises, funding for fixed costs, additional support for school safety, and improvements to special education formulas and funding. You can check out the revenue comparison between the current law and HB 2 by reading the school district runs here. 

• Vouchers – A private school voucher program was passed into law in the form of Senate Bill 2. The Education Savings Account program will officially launch with the start of the 2026-27 school year. In the meantime, our priority remains advocating for all public schoolchildren. 
• Student Discipline – House Bill 6 increases flexibility in the way schools can manage student discipline issues, including increasing the allowable days of in school suspension to 10; removing mandatory placements in Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) for vape possession; and providing funding for virtual DAEP placements. The House concurred in Senate amendments and sent the bill to the governor.
• Property Tax Relief – Legislators provided additional property tax relief to homeowners through SB 4, which increases the school district property tax homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000. This bill is awaiting the governor’s signature.

While we are pleased with some of the outcomes from this session, there are still challenges facing public schools that will continue to require our attention and efforts.

Here’s how you can stay connected and up to date on everything happening in public education during the interim.

• Subscribe to TASB Talks – Our podcast brings you the latest happenings and insights into Texas public education. Later this week, we’ll be releasing a new episode recapping the 89th Texas Legislature and bills related to public education. During the interim, we’ll be hosting periodic updates as needed. You can find the show on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.

• Follow TASB on social media – Follow TASB on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for regular updates about our organization, member ISDs, and Texas public education at large.
• Sign up for the Legislative Report – Sign up today to receive important legislative updates to your inbox throughout the interim.
• Keep your eyes on the news – We encourage you to keep up with public education through trusted sources, such as your local news or the Texas Tribune.

Thank you again for standing up for Texas public schools. We will continue to stay in touch in the coming months. 

Sincerely,

Your friends at Texans for Strong Public Schools

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A legislative advocacy initiative by the Texas Association of School Boards, Inc.

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