Fort Worth parents gathered at a Texas A&M‑Fort Worth forum on Wednesday to ask whether the state’s authority to take over Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) violates the principle of representation. Rev. Kristin Klade, whose children attend FWISD schools and who leads the parent group Families Organized & Responding to Takeover (FORT), posed the question to three school‑finance attorneys.
State control versus local voice
Panelists explained that Texas lawmakers set the overall education budget, determine the per‑student funding base, and approve the rate at which districts may raise property taxes. The base funding amount is $6,215 per student, with additional dollars added for district size, English‑language learners, low‑income families, and special‑education needs.
When a district’s local tax revenue falls short of the state‑set target, the state covers the difference. In 2025 the Legislature raised the per‑student amount by $55, the first increase since a $1,020 bump in 2019. According to the experts, inflation alone would require roughly $1,300 more per student to keep pace.
Funding gaps and shortfalls
Josh Sanderson, executive director of The Equity Center, a nonprofit that represents Texas school districts, noted that many districts are now adopting shortfall budgets. A recent poll of about 300 districts showed 32% reported shortfalls last year; this year more than half have done so. FWISD alone faces a nearly $50 million deficit, and neighboring districts such as Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw, Crowley, Aledo, White Settlement and Lake Worth have reported similar shortfalls.
Sanderson emphasized that the recent $8.5 billion school‑finance bill has not prevented these deficits, underscoring the financial pressure on districts under the current funding formula.
No clear legal path
When asked if there is a viable legal case that the takeover law constitutes taxation without representation, Sanderson answered plainly: “No.” He explained that state legislators retain the authority to oversee the Texas Education Agency, which in turn appoints superintendents and boards of managers for districts like FWISD.
“The voice of Fort Worth residents remains in the Legislature,” Sanderson said, adding that while the arrangement may not be ideal for local control, it is the structure established by elected officials.
What this means for families
For parents like Rev. Klade, the discussion highlights a tension between state‑level oversight intended to ensure equitable funding and the desire for local input on school finances. The panelists suggested that continued advocacy and participation in the legislative process are the most effective ways for community members to influence policy.
As the debate continues, FWISD families are watching closely to see how the state balances fiscal responsibility with local representation.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
