The way that Texas public schools are funded is unconstitutional, according to State District Judge John Dietz
Dietz made that ruling on Monday after hearing a more than three-month-long case on school funding. This isn’t the first time he’s made this ruling either. Eight years earlier, Dietz made the same ruling, which brought about massive school reforms.
Last October, more than 600 school districts across the state sued Texas after the 82nd Legislature cut $5.4 billion from public schools.
The state is likely to appeal the ruling to the Texas Supreme Court.
Blake Cooper, superintendent of Commerce Independent School District, said this was an expected ruling.
“I think it states the obvious,” he said. “The state is unconstitutional in its funding of schools.”
During the trial, a few of the superintendents, including Micheal French, superintendent of Quinlan ISD, spoke in Austin.
According to French, Texas public schools were already facing financial challenges before the state cut $5.4 billion from education in 2011.
“We already had a disparity problem before the cuts, and that made it worse,” he said. “All it does is hurt and cheat kids.”
Although French is happy with the result, he said that this ruling is round one of many to come.
“It could take 12 to 18 months for the appeals process, then the legislature will have to act,” he said. “I hope they do the right thing now in this session.”
Cooper said the superintendents who spoke in the case deserve to be praised.
“To endure the questioning they had to endure, they’re to be applauded,” he said. “I am very very pleased with the decision.”
Superintendents don’t usually delve into politics, but according to Cooper, they were fed up with how schools were being funded.
“We’re just tired of being treated like this,” he said. “We’ve had enough of our kids not being treated fairly.”
Local News
Superintendents not surprised by ruling
- Local News
-
-
Library director Chiv fired following arrest
Teresa Chiv, library director of the C.F. Goodwin Public Library in Royse City, has been fired after her arrest for allegedly threatening a man outside the library on May 3.
-
A second day to honor heroes
Friday’s first day of the annual Audie Murphy Days celebration featured a variety of stirring tributes to veterans and patriotism.
-
Unemployment continues to slide
More than 200 people found jobs in Hunt County last month, as the local jobless figures remained at the lowest levels seen in five years.
-
City Council to meet in special session Monday
The Greenville City Council intends Monday to name a temporary replacement for former city manager Steven Alexander.
- City pledging to repair fire damage at Aunt Char's
- Audie Murphy Days starting today
-
Work on water line project could start May 24
Work on a Circle Drive water line upgrade project is scheduled to begin on May 24.
The city council awarded a contract on the project during a special meeting on May 7. Actual construction of the water line will cost about $58,000. There will be other expenses — engineering and testing, for example — but the total cost of the project will not exceed $71,000. -
City buys new computers for police
The City of Greenville is spending $59,000 to purchase replacement laptop computers for patrol officers in the Greenville Police Department.
-
Taking steps in fight against cancer
Hundreds of crusaders in the fight against cancer – survivors, people battling the disease, caregivers, friends and volunteers – will converge on T. A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium in Greenville tonight for the 2013 Relay For Life of Hunt County, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
-
GCS names top two 2013 graduates
Greenville Christian School has announced the top graduates for its 2013 graduating class.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Library director Chiv fired following arrest
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
