San Antonio Express-News / Houston Chronicle: Abbott commits $11B in federal stimulus money to Texas schools

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state's top two legislative leaders committed Wednesday to sending $11.2 billion in federal stimulus money to schools, a victory for education advocates clamoring for the funds.

With the announcement, Texas public schools will start gaining access in the coming months to billions of dollars largely aimed at helping students struggling amid the pandemic. Educators across the state report many of Texas' 5.3 million public schoolchildren are laboring academically, behaviorally and socially — with the roughly a third of those still in online-only classes falling behind the most.

School district leaders across Texas have not yet detailed precise plans for stimulus money, largely because they did not know how much they will receive or when funding would arrive. However, several superintendents have identified top priorities, such as hiring more staff, extending the school day or year, upgrading ventilation systems and providing retention bonuses.

"The state of Texas is ensuring that our public schools have the necessary resources to help Texas students recover from learning loss related to COVID-19," Abbott announced in a statement.

Stimulus per student

District; Economically disadvantaged enrollment; Per-student stimulus funding

Houston ISD; 78%; $4,084

Aldine ISD; 92%; $3,725

Pasadena ISD; 84%; $2,909

Cy-Fair ISD; 55%; $1,647

Klein ISD; 50%; $1,375

Fort Bend ISD; 50%; $1,234

Conroe ISD; 40%; $1,002

Katy ISD; 34%; $798

Source: Texas Education Agency data

The decision by Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan brings a simmering debate over federal stimulus money for schools to a partial close.

The trio did not specify Wednesday how they plan to spend about $7 billion in remaining stimulus money due to Texas schools as they continue to navigate federal requirements and political waters surrounding the cash.

In a message to school administrators, Texas Education Agency officials also confirmed they will not withhold state funding from schools as part of the stimulus spending plan, alleviating a fear of many education leaders.

State officials delivered about $1 billion to Texas schools from the first stimulus package last year, but cut state funding by a similar amount to cover other costs, such as technology for students. The third stimulus package, which includes the $11.2 billion committed to schools Wednesday, contains provisions that make it more difficult for Texas leaders to divert the funding from education.

"Funds are being provided, supplemental to all other funding sources to school systems, and will not be supplanted at the state level," TEA officials wrote to administrators.

TEA officials released each district's share of the $11 billion on Wednesday, cautioning that only two-thirds of the money will be available immediately. The remaining one-third will arrive once the U.S. Department of Education approves Texas' written plan for the money.

The funds will flow in proportions similar to federal Title I money, meaning public school districts with a higher percentage of students from lower-income families will receive a greater share of the cash.

Houston ISD will receive about $800 million, equal to roughly 40 percent of its annual operating costs. The more affluent Cy-Fair ISD will secure about $190 million, slightly less than 20 percent of its annual operating costs. The even-more affluent Katy ISD will net about $67 million, just under 10 percent of its annual operating costs.

"The allocation of more than $800 million in federal dollars to HISD shows their commitment to helping us recover, and we are grateful for the funding," the district said in a statement. "This will give district administrators and the HISD Board of Trustees an opportunity to build a robust budget for the upcoming school year that will address our priorities."

Texas' top Republicans have faced growing calls in recent weeks from educators, public school advocates and Democratic lawmakers to release federal stimulus funds directly to schools, with few strings attached. They have argued that local educators — as opposed to Texas Education Agency officials and state lawmakers — know how best to spend the money on students struggling academically, behaviorally and emotionally amid the pandemic.

State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, called Wednesday a "good day," knowing that school districts finally can plan for the extra cash, though he cautioned that the Democratic caucus — and likely some Republicans — will continue to push for allocating the remaining stimulus funds to K-12 education.

"There's going to be some pressure," said Rodriguez, who authored a state budget amendment last week aimed at speeding up the delivery of school stimulus money. "This isn't over yet at all."

Some school superintendents reacted cautiously, saying they were awaiting details.

"Because of these funds, we are able to proactively address student learning loss and support children's mental health as a result of the prolonged pandemic," San Antonio ISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez said. "We continue to be hopeful that all funds are released in a timely fashion."

Wednesday's decision was "belated but very substantial progress," said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-San Antonio, but he criticized the state's lack of movement on the uncommitted $7 billion. Doggett had led Texas' Democratic congressional delegation in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Education earlier this month condemning state leaders for stalling the funds.

"Our children's future is not a place to cut corners and misuse federal aid to education for non-educational purposes," Doggett said in a statement.

The Texas Association of School Administrators also hailed the decision as "much appreciated" and "consistent with the intent of these federal funds," while issuing a similar warning.

"It will give schools across the state the opportunity and targeted resources needed to help Texas students begin to recover from COVID-19 learning loss as soon as this summer," TASA Executive Director Kevin Brown said in a statement.

"Our students and school staff have suffered many hardships this past year, and recovery will take multiple years. These resources are critical, and we will continue to work with state leaders to ensure the remaining (stimulus) funds also flow to school districts as supplemental funding."

In his statement, Abbott said he would work with Patrick, Phelan and four state legislators to resolve any "outstanding questions" about the state's education stimulus funds before the end of the legislative session next month. An Abbott spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.

The state's public schools reported about $53.4 billion in total operating costs in 2018-19, the most recent year with available data.