Athens —
Several Henderson County school districts were party to a lawsuit brought by the Texas Taxpayer and Student Fairness Coalition and others against the state of Texas, concerning its method of school funding.
The 200th District Court Judge John Dietz of Travis County ruled in favor of the coalition on Monday, stating that the school finance system violates the efficiency provisions of Article VII of the Texas Constitution, and fails to provide substantially-equal access to the revenues necessary to provide a general diffusion of knowledge.
The Athens Independent School District, Eustace ISD, Kemp ISD and Mabank ISD are members of the plaintiff group that filed suit in October 2011. About 40 percent of the state’s school districts are in the TTASFC. Malakoff ISD is a member of the Texas School Coalition, which has 89 members. The remainder of the Henderson County school districts were not involved in the suit.
Eustace ISD Superintendent Coy Holcomb reported the court’s decision on the EISD website. Holcomb stated that, “Overall, the ruling is almost exactly what the Texas Taxpayer and Student Fairness Coalition argued. While this ruling is a first step, it is anticipated that the state will appeal the rulings to the Texas Supreme Court.”
The Supreme Court could rule on the case by October, Holcomb said.
In his ruling from the bench, Dietz quoted the Constitution, saying, “A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish suitable provision for the support, and maintenance of an efficient system of free public schools.”
The Taxpayer Coalition suit was filed in October 2011. Plaintiffs had hoped the Legislature would address the school funding system during its 2011 legislative session. Facing a $27 billion budget shortfall, lawmakers instead approved $4 billion in cuts to schools in June, the first decrease in per-student spending in Texas since World War II.
After more than three months of testimony, Dietz held that “the Texas public school finance system is arbitrary, inequitable and inadequate under the Texas Constitution, and that low-wealth school districts lack local control over their tax rates.”
Local News
Local ISDs chime in on ruling
District judge rules in favor of coalition, including several Henderson County school districts
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Magnificent 7
The Athens Odd Fellow Lodge No. 961 and Athens Rebekah Lodge No. 23 has seven students who are receiving a $500 scholarship to Trinity Valley Community College for this year.
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Area woman killed
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Lusk found guilty
A jury returned a guilty verdict on Tuesday against 36 year-old Danny Ray Lusk for sexual misconduct involving two children.
Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee said the punishment phase of the trial which began May 14 was set to begin Tuesday in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court. -
Keep Athens Beautiful celebrates 25 years
Keep Athens Beautiful (KAB) celebrated 25 years with a banquet at Athens Country Club last Friday night. The evening was hosted by Darwin Winfield (not pictured). Peggy Rhodes (left) presented Hugh Armstrong (second from the right) the Margaret Myers Award. Carol Morton (far right) presented two people with the Hall of Fame Award — Jerry Wadell and Victory Roberts (second and third from left). Margaret Myers is also pictured with the award winners, third from right. View additional photos from the event at www.athensreview.com.
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Art hits the streets in Mabank
The Mabank Branch of the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the fifth Mabank Festival and Art Show on Market Street in downtown Mabank this past weekend. Hundreds of people and more than 75 vendors attended the event. In addition to the artwork and other items for sale, there were food vendors and entertainment for children. View additional photos at www.athensreview.com.
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Veterans’ Memorial to open
The Athens Cemetery Association cordially invites the community to attend the dedication of the Veterans' Memorial on the grounds of Athens City Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 27, at 9 a.m. Keynote speaker for the dedication will be U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas' 5th Congressional District.
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SLIDE SHOW-Mabank Festival and Art Show
For the 5th year Mabank Branch of the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce held it's Festival and Art Show in downtown Mabank. Over 75 vendors and 100s of people converged on Market St. in downtown Mabank. Photos by Kathi Nailling/Athens Review
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SLIDE SHOW - KAB 25th Anniversary Celebration
Keep Athens Beautiful Celebrated 25 years with a banquet at Athens Country Club on Friday night. Hugh Armstrong was awarded the Margaret Myers Award. Photos by Kathi Nailling/Athens Review
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Millionaires Club
Tom Denton, who has led efforts to gather tabs from cans, continues the battle to provide housing for parents of children hospitalized while they are away from home.
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Good as gold
The Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour pulls out Tuesday morning as it has for half a century, but this time, from a new location.
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