FBISD is short on money because the local voters held an election and voted down proposed new bonds.
That had nothing to do with the state government.
Sure it did. Yes, Fort Bend is the wealthiest county in Texas. But the state provides about 40% of public school funding, and mandates “recapture” to fund poorer districts from richer ones’ property taxes. Many districts do turn to bonds, in addition to the property tax (which the state caps), as the bonds are not subject to recapture.
Even rich districts are underfunded, but unlike Fort Bend, Austin ISD passed its bonds while dropping property taxes. Rural counties are hurt even more by the constant state-level attacks on the public school budget, so hopefully they get the legislature to back off on school vouchers this year (call your rep if you’re in Texas).
