AISD Board of Trustees signs off on list of 2017 legislative priorities

By John Dilmore
john@casscountynow.com

The Atlanta Independent School District Board of Trustees last week made clear where they stand on a number of key issues facing public schools across Texas.
The board resolved to join in the collective efforts “of other area school boards to have our voices heard” in regard to three topics.
The state’s A-F accountability system was first on the list. 
A resolution passed by the board stated, “We believe in strong accountability, but see no evidence that the A-F grading system will actually improve performance or help students. … The bulk of the rankings will be based solely on a once a year STAAR/EOC assessment that has been proven to be defective, not statistically significant or reliable, and detrimental to students and the teaching profession.”
Vouchers and education savings grants were also included.
“We oppose a state voucher plan, tax credit, taxpayer savings grants, tuition reimbursements, or any program that diverts public tax dollars to private entities, homeschool students, or parents with little or no academic or financial accountability to the state, taxpayers or local communities,” the board resolved.
On the subject of school funding, the board collectively stated, “We believe that the basic allotment should be raised creating additional funding for all districts in Texas. 
“The increased allotment would not require additional revenue from the state, rather revenues generated by increased property values would be returned to local school districts.”