AUSTIN, Texas — Four public school teachers from East Texas traveled to Austin to voice their concerns about school vouchers. Fourth grade teacher TaKisha Kegler testified against them before a panel of senators.
“I get very emotional because I don’t do this for the money,” Kegler said through tears. “I said that in my testimony. I don’t do this for the money. I do this because I want to make a difference before I leave this earth.”
The voucher bill by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would allow families access to $8000 of taxpayer money to pay for private school, among other educational expenses.
“I feel like it’s just degrading the whole profession,” Kegler said after hearing Senators discuss vouchers during an education committee hearing Tuesday.
Creigton says the program will not take money away from public schools because the funding would come from general revenue. The measure advanced out of committee and will be heard by the entire Senate next.
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Creighton also filed a separate bill to pump more money into the public education system and give teachers $3000 raises. But Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for the third special legislative session notably didn’t include a request to increase teacher pay.
“Those people that are teaching that have been here forever, they deserve that raise,” Kegler said. “And it shows Gov. Abbott, once again, it shows where his priorities are. They’re with the money. It’s never with the people. It’s never with the children, and I’m sick and tired of it... I get so angry because we are here. Why aren’t you paying attention to what we need?”
The governor did not respond to a request for comment.
Creighton’s voucher bill would allocate $500 million to pay for the program, but some teachers say the money should go to public schools instead.
“Teacher pay not being on the call shows all educators how we’re appreciated, meaning that we’re not,” said fifth grade teacher Billie Kimbrough. “We’re not appreciated.”
Kimbrough also testified against vouchers. She says she’d had to tutor for extra money and even considered waitressing to make ends meet.
“We just don’t feel appreciated,” she said. “We need them to put their money where their mouth is.”
Lawmakers from both parties say they want to increase teacher pay, but whether Gov. Abbott adds the issue to the special session agenda remains to be seen.