In simple terms, fund balance is the difference between assets and liabilities in a governmental fund as of the close of the fiscal year. School districts use their fund balances to responsibly manage cash flow — especially in districts that pay recapture and cannot lean on regular state funding.
Rather than trying to determine how to distribute federal dollars to the schools that need them, Texas is trying to withhold them. Some 40 states have started distributing dollars to their schools, but Texas has not.
An opinion editorial co-authored by Justin Henry, President of the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees and Tammy Richards, President of the Plano ISD Board of Trustees
Locally elected school boards should have the flexibility to make decisions that are best for their communities’ unique needs.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on public education in Texas, and it will take years to overcome that impact.
In order to meet the state’s future workforce needs and give all Texas children the opportunity to succeed, it is critical that the state continue to invest in public education.
The state’s economic outlook has worsened considerably over the last year, which affects public education’s fiscal outlook going forward.
Don’t be fooled. School district fund balances are an important cash management tool and are not the same as the State’s Rainy Day Fund.
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