Howard v. FBISD: It's All About The Children

I admit, I have been overemphasizing my national chops recently with the Nifty Fifty. This will continue, but to make this more of what it ought to be...a mixture of local, state and national insights (and yes, I will even go overseas)...and some personal qualities, I have decided to focus on my home base...

Just recently my local State Representative, Charlie Howard (R-Sugar Land/HD26) skewered Fort Bend ISD board trustees over a budget proposal. In particular, the school board voted on a budget to increase the tax rate by two cents in order to make up a budget deficit resulting from the passage of a bond issue last year to fund new schools and improve existing ones. While district employees lauded the budget proposal (most notably a three percent pay raise), Howard spoke out against it, arguing that it imposed a two-cent tax increase came at a time when property values have been on the rise in the area.

The board's response? Board President Sonal Bhuchar stated that the maintenance and operations tax rate will not go up, and the two-cent increase will make up for the debt resulting from the 2007 bond. The bond includes a new high school in Sienna Plantation, an area that is definitely in need of a new high school courtesy of the planned community's growth.

Two other trustees harbored stronger feelings about Howard's comments.

Steve Smelley stated that he had been humiliated for his involvement in a year-long budget review, and called the remarks "horrible". But he also had a reason for the first-ever budget deficit in the history of FBISD: the state's contribution to our school system has declined considerably, the result of Governor Rick Perry's Dixiecrat mentality that almost shut down the Legislature in 2005. Remember, Slick Rick is a former Democrat and NOT a Real Republican by any chance; the Trans-Texas Corridor is a textbook example of Perry's Religious Right- and "lower taxes, higher spending"- backed agenda. Bob Broxson sided with Smelley, arguing that bad state education policies resulted in the budget being what it is, and that Howard "didn’t even know what the numbers were" and that state legislators failed to do their part in regards to public education.

Now don't get me wrong, I am all for low taxes, less spending and balanced budgets, but our spending priorities should focus more on what is worth investing in, not what is going to kill this state's financial health all for the sake of placating a miniscule but loud minority of right-wing radicals who don't even live or vote (let alone, pay taxes) in Fort Bend. What is worth investing in is improving schools by making them more innovative and more appealing to parents. What is not worth investing in is bankrupting schools with draconian "teach to the test", No Child Left Behind and "nanny state" tactics that have made this district cannon fodder for a number of unwanted -- and undeserving -- headlines.

And yes, Charlie Howard does have a point about taxes. Our property taxes have been facing a crisis of sorts, and here, trying to appease everyone is akin to Donkey Kong juggling on a moving unicycle with half a tire missing. Being a board member is a very tough job, and it is not just because of the fact that board trustees are unpaid, but because sound financial planning and investment in education is a very important factor in whether or not families want to move to Fort Bend. Let's face it, many parents are not willing to shell out thousands of money on expensive private schools, sometimes lack the sufficient time and resources to home school their children without busting their budget, and charter schools here have mixed results. In fact, there was even an old legend where my old high school JV basketball team (where I was the statistician) was slated to face a controversial charter school noted for its poor accountability...the latter team was a no-show, and I wasn't even there.

Howard believes the tax burden here is too high. And he also does believe that both his position and those of the board trustees are very difficult jobs. Confused yet? Read this:

“I’ve been a strong supporter of public education, but the one thing I hear when I walk my district is that people think taxes are too high. My goal is to help them get relief from those taxes.”

Of course, Howard also pointed out that the Legislature increased funding for local school districts and that the state should invest more for public education in the upcoming Legislature. Time will tell whether or not Howard, the Board, or both, will be vindicated.

Nonetheless, if Howard doesn't get past the "Goodhair Fortress" which aims to undermine the state's schools, it could give a savvy Republican, or even a Democrat, a shot at this district. After all, HD27's Dora Olivo had a close call this year as well against a well-funded and well-backed primary challenger, and eked out a victory.

Want more details? Try these news links: At the meeting. Or after. It's Your Call.