Now that the 2011 Legislative session is over, Spring Branch Speaks is looking toward the
next Legislative session. Believe it or not, preparation to protect SBISD funding starts now,
because the next legislative session is expected to be a repeat of the state budget issues
and debate from this past spring. Education budgets could be even harder hit the next time
around, and we want to be ready to advocate for our schools.
Spring Branch Speaks plans to update you monthly about legislative issues and
happenings that impact our neighborhood schools' funding. Right now, there are three
things on the SBS to-do list:
1) Keep an eye on upcoming State Legislature primary races - the key to SBISD support. In
order for SBISD to retain (and hopefully return to past levels) the funding that enables our schools to
continue to be successful, we must have education-minded State Representatives and Senators. Our
schools could lose even more of their budget without supportive representation in the Texas
Legislature. Spring Branch Speaks believes that investing in our children is one of the most
important things our state can do, and we want local representation that agrees.
Currently, there is one open State House of Representative seat representing SBISD - District 136
Rep. Beverly Woolley is not seeking reelection. Primaries are a very important time to vote: in past
races, candidates have won general elections after taking their primary with only 5% total registered
voter support. This means a small group of voters can determine who gets elected.
Primary elections for State Representatives and Senators are March 6, 2012. Spring Branch
Speaks will let you know when there are candidate forums that we can attend to learn more about the
potential lawmakers, and will forward the candidates' positions on education matters so we can all
make informed decisions regarding our representation in Austin.
2) Keeping Tabs on the Education Conversation. Spring Branch Speaks is watching for any
movement or discussion of education funding by our current Legislators. In past years, there have
been education task forces that reviewed education funding options - if such a group is created we
will work to monitor and even communicate with members. Additionally, there might be other
opportunities regarding state budget decisions where our voices could be helpful to SBISD. We will
send an email out if we discover any potential for helping improve SBISD funding.
3) Build Spring Branch Speaks Membership. Spring Branch Speaks includes 1200 concerned
citizens, many who actively write or call legislators. The more members we gather, the bigger our
voice and impact. We know that there are many more people who can add their voices: both parents
of children in SBISD and concerned neighbors who value successful education as fundamental to our
community. Please help by encouraging your family and friends to visit
www.SpringBranchSpeaks.com and sign up to receive future updates, if they haven't done so
already. Simply forward this email so they will also understand how SBS supports the future of our
children and our community.
Thanks for your time and help with our membership drive.
Spring Branch Speaks
Parent-organized community outreach with SBISD in mind.
Spring Branch ISD educates a diverse community of 32,000 students on 46 campuses, including
57% economically disadvantaged students and 33% limited-English-proficient (ESL) students.
next Legislative session. Believe it or not, preparation to protect SBISD funding starts now,
because the next legislative session is expected to be a repeat of the state budget issues
and debate from this past spring. Education budgets could be even harder hit the next time
around, and we want to be ready to advocate for our schools.
Spring Branch Speaks plans to update you monthly about legislative issues and
happenings that impact our neighborhood schools' funding. Right now, there are three
things on the SBS to-do list:
1) Keep an eye on upcoming State Legislature primary races - the key to SBISD support. In
order for SBISD to retain (and hopefully return to past levels) the funding that enables our schools to
continue to be successful, we must have education-minded State Representatives and Senators. Our
schools could lose even more of their budget without supportive representation in the Texas
Legislature. Spring Branch Speaks believes that investing in our children is one of the most
important things our state can do, and we want local representation that agrees.
Currently, there is one open State House of Representative seat representing SBISD - District 136
Rep. Beverly Woolley is not seeking reelection. Primaries are a very important time to vote: in past
races, candidates have won general elections after taking their primary with only 5% total registered
voter support. This means a small group of voters can determine who gets elected.
Primary elections for State Representatives and Senators are March 6, 2012. Spring Branch
Speaks will let you know when there are candidate forums that we can attend to learn more about the
potential lawmakers, and will forward the candidates' positions on education matters so we can all
make informed decisions regarding our representation in Austin.
2) Keeping Tabs on the Education Conversation. Spring Branch Speaks is watching for any
movement or discussion of education funding by our current Legislators. In past years, there have
been education task forces that reviewed education funding options - if such a group is created we
will work to monitor and even communicate with members. Additionally, there might be other
opportunities regarding state budget decisions where our voices could be helpful to SBISD. We will
send an email out if we discover any potential for helping improve SBISD funding.
3) Build Spring Branch Speaks Membership. Spring Branch Speaks includes 1200 concerned
citizens, many who actively write or call legislators. The more members we gather, the bigger our
voice and impact. We know that there are many more people who can add their voices: both parents
of children in SBISD and concerned neighbors who value successful education as fundamental to our
community. Please help by encouraging your family and friends to visit
www.SpringBranchSpeaks.com and sign up to receive future updates, if they haven't done so
already. Simply forward this email so they will also understand how SBS supports the future of our
children and our community.
Thanks for your time and help with our membership drive.
Spring Branch Speaks
Parent-organized community outreach with SBISD in mind.
Spring Branch ISD educates a diverse community of 32,000 students on 46 campuses, including
57% economically disadvantaged students and 33% limited-English-proficient (ESL) students.