The Struggle for Funding in Abilene Independent School District
For weeks, the Abilene Independent School District (AISD) faced a serious threat: the potential loss of millions in federal education funds. This situation put at risk programs that serve some of the district’s most vulnerable students, including the adult education program, which supports learners of all ages. Although the federal government eventually released the funds, the experience highlighted how quickly the future of essential programs can be uncertain and the profound impact such uncertainty can have on the community.
Dr. Taylor Tidmore, a member of the AISD Board of Trustees, described the period as one of chaos and uncertainty. “The federal government came out and said it’s going to withhold a lot of federal educational funds. Some of those funds specifically go to our adult education program,” he explained. The program is a partnership between the Texas Workforce Commission and AISD, and while the district anticipated possible delays, the sudden reversal of funding decisions created significant challenges.
Despite the relief of the funds being released, there remains a sense of urgency. “Those funds have not been released yet, and we don’t know when we’re going to receive them,” Tidmore noted. While there is currently enough cushion to cover adult education costs, the district is aware that this support may not last indefinitely. If the funds are not released in a timely manner, difficult decisions about the future of adult education may need to be made.
The Impact of Adult Education Programs
AISD budgets just under $1 million for adult education, covering salaries for teachers who work exclusively in the program. This program provides essential services to a diverse group of learners, ranging from 16 to 50 years old. The potential loss of over $3 million in federal funds, including Title II, III, and IV funds, raised concerns about the sustainability of these programs.
Tidmore emphasized that if cuts were necessary, the district aimed to keep the GED Testing Center and dropout prevention program running, though many day-to-day classes would likely be eliminated. “Those students had overcome all sorts of obstacles in life to finish their degree,” he said, highlighting the importance of the program in helping individuals achieve their educational goals.
When Tidmore first joined the AISD Board of Trustees, he was unaware of the adult education program. Now, he has witnessed its transformative impact firsthand. “If that service goes away, no one else is really doing that work,” he said. The graduation ceremony he attended last year featured a student in his 50s who had worked hard to complete his education, showing the program’s value to the community.
Challenges Ahead for Educational Funding
While the program is safe for now, Tidmore warns that federal funds for education are already shrinking. For example, AISD previously received about $4 million to support students with significant physical needs, but this year, that amount will drop to $1 million. “I think in our current political environment, anything’s possible,” he said. “I think a more realistic thing that might occur is that there are so many compliance guidelines and regulations attached to those funds, it almost just becomes impossible for a district to be able to keep up with all the guidelines.”
Federal funding made up $28 million of AISD’s budget last year, though most revenue comes from state and local sources. With 60% of Texas school districts adopting deficit budgets, Tidmore notes that there is little financial safety net when unexpected funding problems arise. “Funding for public education really hasn’t increased since 2019, yet the cost of running a district has gone up about 20% over that time period,” he said.
The Consequences for Students
Ultimately, it is the students who suffer when funding is cut. AISD adopted a $13 million deficit budget last year, through a lot of difficult decisions and hard work. “80% of our budget comes from teacher and staff salaries,” Tidmore explained. As teachers and staff leave or retire, they are often not replaced, leading to increased workloads for existing staff. “As we stretch those people thinner and thinner, ultimately it’s the students who are going to suffer.”
Tidmore stressed that without changes in how public education is funded, the children of the state will ultimately pay the price. “If our state doesn’t change the way we fund public education in the next few years, it’s really the children of our state who are going to ultimately pay the price.”