On Thursday, September 29, 2016, David Dunn, Executive Director of Texas Charter Schools Association, testified at a joint hearing before the Texas House Appropriations and Public Education Committees.

On a panel with other fast growth school districts, Dunn talked about the rapid growth of charter school enrollment in Texas, student waiting lists, and the need for facilities funding. Charter schools’ average enrollment growth rate is 13 percent annually compared with two percent of overall public education enrollment.

“The state investment in public charter facilities is zero, and there is nothing less fair or less equitable than zero,” said Dunn before the joint committee.

Dunn fielded questions from Committee members and addressed matters including the Permanent School Fund, SB2 closures of charter schools, charter and ISD partnerships, special education, discipline, innovation, federal requirements, and the public school funding mechanism.

Throughout the hearing, Dunn advocated for public charter schools, students, and increasing outcomes.

Other panelists include Dr. Jamie Wilson, Superintendent, Denton ISD; Dr. Greg Gibson, Superintendent, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD; and Leo Lopez, Chief School Finance Officer, Texas Education Agency.