Plano ISD Board of Trustees Joins Lawsuit to Challenge State's School Finance System

In November, 2011, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to join with other Texas public school districts in a lawsuit against the State of Texas. The school board passed a resolution retaining the services of Haynes and Boone, LLP, in its efforts to challenge the state school finance system. The district asserts that the current system and level of funding impair the education available to students within the district, as well as the ability of the district to provide adequate education to students.

Even though our school district experienced recent major reductions in services and staff and the state introduced a new accountability system, Plano ISD remains committed to providing an excellent education for all students. Precedent indicates that the state only allocates more funding for education as a result of court action. (See Robin Hood History.)

The school board authorized the expenditure of public funds for this effort. Plano ISD anticipates its annual contribution to the lawsuit to be approximately $60,000, resulting from a charge of $1 per WADA that participating districts will pay. In a previous lawsuit, a judgment in favor of the school districts allowed Plano ISD to recover 88% of its legal fees.

Plano ISD School Board President Tammy Richards said that Plano ISD expects the lawsuit could provide new funds from the state, resulting in a renewed ability to provide a quality education. “We will join with our fellow districts in pursuit of an adequate funding system for Plano ISD and all Texas school children," said Ms. Richards. "While I am pleased that our district has navigated the choppy waters of the school finance system thus far, a permanent funding solution for public education in Texas is long overdue."