At 2-week mark, inequity remains at center of school finance lawsuit
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On Thursday, the end of the second week of the state-wide school finance lawsuit, one word was brought up repeatedly: inequity.
Throughout the day’s hearing, life-long educator and school finance expert Wayne Pierce testified that property-rich school districts across the state have better performing students, even when the tax rate is the same. Higher property values means more money coming in.
Pierce offered a local example. Eanes Independent School District collects $1,300 more per student per year than does Pflugerville Independent School District. Pierce says the math is clear and the inequity shows up in test scores.
"The more a district has to spend on a student, the higher the scores are and it holds that way for the past seven years," Pierce said.
Pierce also told the court the poorest of the school districts will never generate the money a richer district can—even at the state cap of $1.17 per $100.
The career-educator will be back on the stand when testimony continues Monday.