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North Texas school districts are stretching financially for the 2024-25 school year

The basic allotment for K-12 students in Texas is $6,160 and it has not increased since 2019, forcing North Texas schools to make tough choices for students.

Dia Wall

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Published: 5:46 PM CDT August 5, 2024
Updated: 6:13 PM CDT August 9, 2024

The basic budget allotment for K-12 students in Texas is $6,160 per student.

That’s the legislatively mandated amount of money from the general revenue funds that go to each public school district to provide a basic level of education for the district’s residents. The allotment has not increased since 2019, despite substantial inflation since then.

This is forcing districts across North Texas to make changes to staffing, class sizes and program offerings. Some districts have supported bonds or a voter-approved tax rate election (VATRE) to cover the shortfall.

In a new WFAA series, we are highlighting urban, suburban and rural school districts in the DFW metroplex and sharing how they’re confronting funding challenges, working toward the best outcome for students and communities.

Part of our reporting includes a robust survey of 52 school districts across the more than 30 counties in North Texas, designed to paint a comprehensive picture of what’s happening financially and how it’s affecting schools local children are attending.

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