The Fast Growth School Coalition has released a school facilities report entitled, “Texas Schools Aren’t Average” which is in response to information that has been disseminated by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. While the Comptroller’s information averages the cost and sizes of school buildings across the state, “Texas Schools Aren’t Average” provides a description of potential cost differences based on:
- Regional differences such as climate and soil type,
- Construction considerations such as foundation types and local building codes, and
- Input by local community members regarding the type of facility they want for their students.
The report consistently emphasizes that “in Texas, decisions regarding public education are made by local communities, and since local communities are all different, that means decisions about educational programs and school buildings are going to vary considerably across the State of Texas.”
Less than 10% of Texas ISDs are fast growth school districts. These fast growth districts account for almost 80% of the student growth in the state over the past five years.