Texas school districts are on the brink of a fiscal crisis – But it’s preventable

(Texans for Excellence in Education) – A financial crisis is looming over many Texas school districts, and without immediate action, the consequences could be devastating. Many are on a collision course with fiscal insolvency.There has been a great deal of debate about state funding and decreasing enrollments. These are things schools have no control over. But a core issue that is almost never discussed? The well-meaning trustees elected to set these multi-million-dollar budgets are often ill-equipped and lack the training needed to prevent the financial collapse of their districts.Related Stories These staggering figures, according to a KXAN broadcast report, are a mere sample of what is happening across the state:Dallas ISD: $187 million deficit Fort Worth ISD: $17 million deficit Houston ISD: $211 million deficit El Paso ISD: $12 million deficitAfter nearly 30 years in public education, I count a host of trustees as my personal friends. Generally speaking, trustees are honest, good-hearted members of their communities who just want to help improve education for the children in their districts. They are not, however, necessarily accountants or school finance experts by trade.These trustees – elected to protect the interests of students, families, teachers and taxpayers –& are often unaware of...