Texas Democratic Party: Moving Texas Forward

Republican State Rep. Larry Gonzales voted for a budget that went against the interest of his constituents and slashed billions from public education. As a result of his vote, Hutto ISD, which is located in the district Gonzales represents, was forced to close Veteran’s Hill Elementary and lay off 70 employees. Hutto ISD is having a public meeting today at 6:30 PM to seek input from the community on the budget cuts.

“Larry Gonzales and his Republican colleagues weren’t playing with monopoly money during the last session,” said TDP spokeswoman Rebecca Acuña. “Their votes had consequences. Now school children in Gonzales’ district are paying for his reckless votes.”

According to Hutto ISD’s website:

“The Hutto Independent School District Due to inadequate state funding and recent budget cuts, Hutto ISD must trim an additional $1.2 million from its operating budget for the 2012-13 school year. These additional cuts follow $4.5 million in cuts during the 2011-12 school year, which included the loss of about 70 staff members, the closure of Veteran’s Hill Elementary and budget cuts at all campuses.”

Hutto ISD is also considering
• Charging children $100 a semester to ride the school bus;
• Charging children $100 a year to participate in extracurricular activities;
• Eliminating instructional field-trips;
• Canceling away travel for the band.

“Children want season tickets to see their favorite sports team, not to ride on the school bus,” added TDP spokesman Anthony Gutierrez. “Gonzales must own up to what he’s done. At the very least, he should apologize to the families in his district.”

You can see a list of Hutto ISD’s final budget cuts here, and a list of potential budget cuts here.