Per Senator Davis' comments just now during the budget discussion.

 

 

 

 

M E M O R A N D U M

TO:

Senator Wendy Davis

 

FROM:

Jennifer Schiess

 

DATE:

April 29, 2011

 

SUBJECT:

Request regarding historical funding of student enrollment growth in the Foundation School Program

 

 

In a letter dated April 28, 2011, you requested information regarding whether or not the state has historically funded enrollment growth in the Foundation School Program.

 

Based on our analysis of state appropriations, we find that for the last 27 years, the state has appropriated sufficient funds to fully fund state obligations, including enrollment growth, under the school finance formulas in effect at the time of appropriation. This analysis should not be interpreted to imply that at any point prior to the 1984-85 biennium the state failed to meet this obligation. Data required for analysis going further back is simply not readily available for a timely response.

 

Please note that this analysis is based on state appropriations, which are necessarily made based on estimates of student enrollment growth and other factors and is not reflective of the degree to which state payments did or did not ultimately meet actual obligations. However, the appropriations basis can be interpreted as a measure of legislative intent with regard to meeting the state’s statutory obligations under the Foundation School Program.

 

Please let me know if you have questions or need additional information.

 

cc. Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst

John Opperman

Caasi Lamb

Sarah Hicks

John O’Brien

Ursula Parks

Wayne Pulver

John McGeady

Janét Spurgin

Bradley Domangue

Kimberly Wheeler