September 2015 Committee on School Initiatives Item 5
Acceptance of Gifts and Donations for the Long-Range Plan on Public Education
September 11, 2015
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: The State Board of Education is seeking private funding to cover the cost of producing a new long-range plan for public education. If funding is found, the board must vote to accept the specific donation or gift.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(a)(3).
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The board’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Long-Range Plan for Public Education prepared a proposal for the creation of a new long-range plan. Development and distribution of the plan was estimated to cost $150,000. Board members unsuccessfully sought funding from the Texas Legislature and the Texas Education Agency. At the July board meeting, the board asked member Marty Rowley and the Committee on School Initiatives to investigate private funding options.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: While there is a current Long-Range Plan on Technology, the most recent Long-Range Plan on Public Education was produced in 2000 and covered the years 2001-2006. In recent years, the board has focused on producing long-term goals or timelines for specific issues, such as the revisions of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, instructional materials adoption cycles, and investment strategies for the Permanent School Fund, rather than crafting a wide-ranging plan for the public schools.
FISCAL IMPACT: There would be little to no fiscal impact on the Texas Education Agency if private funds cover the cost of producing a new long-range plan. Texas Education Code (TEC), 7.102(a)(3) permits the acceptance of private donations. That statute says: “The board may accept a gift, donation, or other contribution on behalf of the public school system or agency, and, unless otherwise specified by the donor, may use the contribution in the manner the board determines.”
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: The State of Texas and students would benefit from the creation of a long-term strategy to provide high quality public education to all students.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: Unknown at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: A separate action item dealing with the long-range plan is also on the September agenda. It would permit the board, if necessary, to adjust its plan and timeline for creating the new plan.
Staff Members Responsible:
Gene Acuna, Director
Division of Communications and SBOE Support
Debbie Ratcliffe, Director of Media Relations
Division of Communications and SBOE Support