I am writing to you from Austin where I am attending a state-wide conference of school administrators, college professors, legislators, and educational leaders from across the state of Texas. This annual conference is a place where school district personnel find out the latest programs, initiatives, and legislative actions that are finding their way to school districts across Texas. We have a chance to visit with our legislators and educational leaders from the Texas Education Agency to find out first hand how we can help our school districts become more efficient in operations and better operators of programs that assist the children of San Saba to reach their potential.

Recently, we were notified that school districts across the nation would have a federal stimulus package much like car industry and the banking industry. One important point to note is that school districts did not go begging for this, the legislators have provided this on their own because of the struggles schools are having.

At the conference I am attending we found out more information about this very important federal stimulus package. The package could, if accepted by Governor Perry, provide much needed funds in special education, Title I funding, and funding for construction. Usually, the concern with accepting federal money is the long strings that are attached. However, we heard today that there “might” be a chance that a significant portion of the money may be accessible with to be spent programmatically how is best needed in our district. This is great news as most of the state and federal funds are tied to very specific program requirements.

Other items that have been talked about at this conference covers changes in the state finance system that will attempt to close inequalities in the funding system between school districts. It is too early in the legislative session to know if this change will become a reality. The 130 plus days left in this legislative session will be very interesting for school districts.

Funding and accountability will certainly remain at the forefront of the session. Please take opportunities that are presented to you to keep on top of events taking place this session. I will do my best to keep you informed regarding educational issues that impact our district. I can see first hand here at this conference how very important we all are in calling our state representatives regarding issues that impact us all in education and in our community.

Please remember that our website is the key to keeping up-to-date on school happenings. Please visit www.san-saba.net to view events and find information you need to know about SSISD.

Basketball is in full swing! Please try to make it to a 7/8 grade game at the White gym on Monday nights, or catch a game at Armadillo Arena on Tuesday or Friday nights.

If you have any questions about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3144.