Carroll ISD Superintendent Lane Ledbetter released details on the district's recent property listings in a video posted to the school's Facebook page Oct. 8.
The background
Carroll ISD announced four properties listed for sale in a Sept. 27 new release. The district listed underutilized properties for sale or a public-private partnership to provide revenue and long-term benefits amid state funding challenges. The district's website describes a public-private partnership, saying, "A public-private partnership is a contract between a governmental entity [such as Carroll ISD] and a private entity for delivering services or facilities in a cost-effective manner."
In the video, Ledbetter explains that inflation and the lack of legislative action regarding the basic allotment are driving factors behind the decision to list the properties. According to the Texas Education Agency, basic allotment is the legislatively mandated apportionment of funds from the general revenue funds that goes to each school district to provide a basic level of education for the district’s residents. Basic allotment is based on student attendance, and the amount provided per student has remained at $6,160 since 2019. Ledbetter stated that the funding shortages have made it difficult to recruit and retain teachers and that this decision can help provide compensation. Ledbetter noted that Carroll ISD ranks as the fourth-lowest school district in the state in terms of funding per student.
