With the Texas Legislature passing HB 3 on Saturday, the school district is set to feel the effects of increased education finance next school year. The district is expected to get $30 million to $35 million from the state next year, which equals approximately $495 to $577 per student.

“House Bill 3 benefits all school districts and addresses systemic problems in the school finance system,” Frisco ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mike Waldrip said in a release.  “We are encouraged by the state’s commitment to providing additional long-term funding for schools and applaud lawmakers for tackling these difficult issues. While no piece of legislation is perfect, we believe House Bill 3 is a meaningful step forward for school finance in our state.”

Included in HB 3 is a provision that school districts have to spend 30 percent of increased funds on employee compensation.

“I think public schools are a huge investment in our future,” history teacher Emily Griffin said. “Obviously, it sounds cliche, but children getting a good education, they become better citizens, and we live in a better world because they can impact that. A lot of times quality teachers will leave that profession because the amount of work they put in is not reflected in the amount of money that they get, so it’s important that they make the money.”

Although HB 3 did lead to progress in education funding pledged by Governor Greg Abbott, Griffin believes the state still has more progress to make.

“I think the state should invest more money in trying to get kids more equal opportunities,” Griffin said. “We need more diversity as far as UCI economic levels go and higher programs, such as AP and new programs GT. I also think investment in the arts is extremely important.”

Also on Saturday, the Legislature passed a bill that requires voter approval for local property tax increases at different levels, but the state has still not found a permanent tax solution to the Robin Hood tax system.

“It depends on how Texas government wants to reform the system really if it is going to be changed,” junior, incoming campus Youth and Government president, Sam Mills said. “Maybe they want to go into a deficit or there’s no planned way to address it. I think they need to take a look at redrawing the tax system because there are definitely some problems that have arisen in the past and the present from the Robin Hood system for sure.”