Low-Wealth Schools File 3rd Lawsuit Against State

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A group of low-wealth schools, including a school district in Van Zandt County, has filed the third lawsuit against the state over school funding. Four school districts, Edgewood, and three in south Texas, McAllen, San Benito and La Feria, are named as plaintiffs. Each district has low property tax value. Three parents also are plaintiffs.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed the lawsuit in Austin Tuesday. It alleges the state’s school finance system is inequitable and inadequate for students who are low-income or still learning English.

Plaintiffs also allege that many property poor districts are taxing at the maximum rate just to meet state requirements and “no longer have meaningful discretion in setting their tax rates.”

MALDEF attorney David Hinojosa says the state has not provided adequate money to reach new standards and college-readiness goals.