Richard Whittaker wrote an article for The Austin Chronicle which is entitled "Report Highlights Inequities in AISD Funding." In this article Whittaker addresses the issues with the current inequalities in funding different schools. He states that parents who have children attending schools in more wealthy sections of the city believe that the more poor schools get more money from the government than their school, which leads them to participate more in school fundraisers. According to Whittaker this gives the 'high-equity' schools more money to spend on extracurricular activities. Whereas the 'low-equity' school are still struggling to help the students succeed. He also comments on how the financial record keeping of the district is disorganized. Whittaker sums up the article with some suggestions on how the government might work to equalize the schools.
The problems in the school system are not very surprising to me. Having attended public schools myself and being the daughter of a teacher I have heard of the problems that schools face. What surprised me in this article is how the financial department is in a state of disarray. I believe it is very important for the government to keep good track of where and how they spend my money. Tracking money is also a good way to improve systems, they would be able to tell what schools need more of and what they are not using. I personally would also like to know exactly where my taxes are going.
