Texas has their share of students in poverty, so why did the Katy Independent School District spend $72.1 million on a new football stadium?
Remember a few months ago when we learned how the state had shut students with special needs out of services due to an unlawful cap? State officials did not seem to want to pay for students with disabilities. Texas had the lowest percentage compared to other states of students with special needs getting services.
Back in 2014, teacher Katie Plemmons wrote compassionately about the struggles teachers face in Texas. The article is titled “The Heartbreak of Being a Teacher in Texas,” published by The Texas Tribune.
It truly is a heartbreaking read.
Here’s some of what teachers faced then in Big Sky country. Many teachers throughout the USA will identify.
- They spent big chunks of their paycheck on class materials.
- They provided kids with lots of free extra help.
- They attended after school events.
- They faced huge class size numbers struggling to learn about their students.
- They got lousy health care plans that put their own families at risk.
- They were “shackled” to high-stakes testing.
Has it gotten better?
Now public schools, like Florida and other states, are graded A-F. It is no surprise that schools with poor students usually get lower grades. Rev. Charles Johnson, executive director of Pastors for Texas Children, says, The truth of the matter is that A-F shames and blames poor children, it shames and blames the professionals that love those children, and it needs to be repealed. Johnson advocates for free, high-quality public education, especially in low-income neighborhoods.
So how do Texas parents from the Katy Independent School District get to spend their tax dollars on a $72.1 million Legacy Stadium for football? It includes a $2 million replay board.
Don’t get me wrong. I like sports. I marched in my high school band and never missed a Friday night football game. While many justifiably worry about football injuries, school teams and school spirit can bind a school and its community together. Sports can help plenty of students get into college. I get the allure. But is it $72.1 million worth when schools are struggling on the basics?
The Katy Independent School District also has some poor students. How are they being served?
Think too about the charter school industry in Texas. Are we looking at a future transformation of some schools into private schools, with charters for the poor?
Spending that much money on a football stadium when the state is failing to address the needs of its teachers and kids with disabilities raises more questions than there are answers.
Many people in my home district did not understand when I objected to a rebuilt football press box being the face of the bond. They did not agree when I objected to the first project funded by the bond being a million dollar move of a football field to widen a track from 4 to 8 lanes.
It isn’t just governments that have wacky school priorities, but many parents and educators too. Many value athletics over academics. Students are enshrined in the photos in the athletic hall of fame at the school, but academic stars most go unlisted. The entire family comes out for the hockey game, but the Quiz Bowl kid catches a ride with a teammate to the tournament.
There are parents who strongly crave academics for their children, but go ignored. A local consortium school has great academics, but no on-site athletics. Our district has 25 spots, but 250 students apply. Our district does not believe that adding another program for the 225 kids per year is warranted, but I doubt athletics would go unexpanded if only 10% of the students had the opportunity to be on a team. Why does a school district put more emphasis on athletics than academics?
Any school that will spend $72 million on athletics should give a voucher to every student who wants to go to a school that focuses on academics. Educating students should be the focus!
I agree somewhat, Joshua, up to the voucher point.
Most school districts don’t have $72 million stadiums. But it sounds like your school district focused on misplaced priorities too. My fear is the wealthier schools like this one will one day become private schools.
But some parents and teachers are sports obsessed. Agreed.
As far as vouchers, students I think need well-rounded options. Many students who like academics are also in sports. Schools tailored to specific areas worry me. My opinion.
As always, good to hear your view, and hope all is well with the gifted program. Give me an update sometime.
This wealthy place probably does well for all of its students like most wealthy places. The real issue is that a huge expenditure on a local level is supported while a pittance in equal taxation is rejected. These wealthy places are acting as private schools already. Their voting publics deprive inner city and rural schools of sufficient funds. They vote down necessary taxes for equitable funding of the whole state, but spend exorbitant amounts locally.