The Real Cost of Vouchers: Funding, Equity, and Public School Survival
In recent legislative sessions, Governor Greg Abbott and Texas lawmakers have pushed for school voucher programs, most recently in this session’s SB2 and HB3. These bills propose using taxpayer dollars to subsidize private school tuition, diverting money from our already underfunded public schools. As the debate over vouchers intensifies, it is crucial to examine how these policies would negatively impact public education and what role local school board trustees can play in addressing the challenge.
Vouchers not only fail to “support and [maintain] an efficient system of public free schools,” as required in the Texas Constitution, Article 7, but would undermine and erode our state’s public school system.
Anticipated impacts of a statewide voucher system include:
1. Funding Diversion and Budget Shortfalls
Public schools in Texas rely heavily on state funding, which is determined in part by student attendance numbers. When students leave public schools for private institutions through a voucher program, the funding follows them. This means fewer resources for the vast majority of Texas’s 5.5 million students who would remain in the public school system.
Given that Texas already underfunds its schools compared to the national average, further reductions would exacerbate the financial struggles districts like RISD are already feeling.
2. Lack of Accountability and Transparency
Public schools are held to rigorous academic and financial accountability standards, reporting on student performance, maintaining accreditation, and adhering to regulations that protect student rights. Private schools, however, operate with far fewer restrictions. Many are not required to administer standardized tests, report academic outcomes, or disclose financial operations.
By funneling taxpayer funds into private institutions with little oversight, voucher programs reduce public accountability and leave students and parents without recourse when needs go unmet.
3. Widening Educational Inequities
One of the most troubling aspects of voucher programs is their potential to deepen educational disparities. Public schools serve all students, including those with disabilities, English language learners, and children from economically disadvantaged households. Private schools, on the other hand, are not obligated to accept all students. They can set selective admissions criteria, deny services to students with special needs, and exclude students based on religious or disciplinary grounds. This selective process risks leaving behind the most vulnerable students while using public funds to support exclusionary institutions.
Further, vouchers don’t cover the full cost of most private school tuition. Families that can’t afford to pay the remaining balance would still be unable to access private education, effectively making vouchers a subsidy for wealthier families rather than a tool for equitable education access.
In light of these threats to public education, what role can a local school board trustee play?
While school boards don’t directly control state-level decisions on vouchers, trustees should advocate for policies that strengthen public education and certainly do play a vital role in navigating and responding to these challenges.
Trustees can use their platforms to educate the public and engage legislators on the harmful effects of vouchers. By speaking out at public meetings, meeting with local and state officials, and joining coalitions of public education advocates, trustees can influence the policy conversation and push back against legislation that weakens public schools.
I’m not waiting until I’m elected to step up as an advocate for our public schools.
RISD students, parents, community members and district representatives at Texas PTA’s Rally Day in Austin.
On Feb. 24, I was the only RISD school board candidate to join Texas PTA for Rally Day in Austin. It was powerful and inspiring to be with so many parents, teachers and engaged community members from across the state for the group's caucus and rally on the Capitol steps. In the afternoon, our group from RISD had constituent meetings with four of our state legislators and/or their staffers. We specifically pressed on the issues that matter most to our district, including questioning why our pro-voucher legislators believe a system in Texas would garner different results than what we're seeing in states like Arizona and Louisiana, among others; applauding and encouraging those legislators who are standing against vouchers; and urging our lawmakers to fund schools fully and in such a way that local trustees retain the ability to apply funds where they're needed most.
Parents and community members need clear, accurate information about how vouchers impact their local schools. Trustees should lead in communicating with their constituents–whether through in-person events, social media outreach, or partnerships with parent organizations–to ensure the community understands the stakes. Encouraging grassroots advocacy can help amplify opposition to voucher programs and demonstrate broad community support for public education.
If voucher programs become law, school boards will have to manage the district’s budget wisely within new constraints. Trustees must work closely with district leaders to evaluate financial shortfalls and make strategic adjustments to minimize the impact on student outcomes and learning. This could mean reallocating financial and personnel resources or implementing cost-saving measures without sacrificing educational quality.
One solid way to counter the appeal of vouchers is to ensure that public schools remain the best choice for families. Trustees can keep the district focused on student outcomes, with the knowledge that families are looking for strong, effective schools that can prepare their students for real-world success. Beyond core subject mastery, trustees can support district leaders in pursuing innovative, data-backed strategies like expanding career and technical education (CTE) options or enhancing choice programming. By strengthening public schools, trustees help prevent the exodus of students that vouchers incentivize.
Vouchers, as proposed in SB2 and HB3, threaten to siphon critical resources from our schools, reduce accountability, and exacerbate inequities.
While the battle over vouchers largely plays out at the state level, our local school board trustees have an essential role in advocating against harmful legislation, managing financial challenges, strengthening our public schools, and engaging with the community. By standing firm in support of public education, we can help ensure that every child—regardless of background or zip code—has access to a high-quality education.
As a candidate for Richardson ISD school board, I am committed to continue fighting for the strength and success of our public schools. Our students deserve nothing less.
