Committee members participated in a Q&A with several Frisco ISD area legislators about issues that impact public schools.
The Frisco ISD Legislative Leadership Committee welcomed state lawmakers to its February meeting to discuss their education priorities in the 89th legislative session.
Frisco ISD invites lawmakers every two years to discuss their priorities with the LLC and to hear from constituents. It’s a valuable chance for lawmakers and the LLC — which is made up of FISD staff, students and community members — to interact face to face, sharing the public school topics that matter most to them.
Every two years, the LLC develops legislative priorities for consideration by the Board of Trustees. This year’s priorities were approved by the Board in November and help guide the District in conversations with lawmakers.
State Reps. Richard Hayes, Jared Patterson and Matt Shaheen, and state Sen. Brent Hagenbuch spent some of their limited time outside Austin to visit with LLC members about the work ahead. They discussed their priorities for school funding, teacher pay and education savings accounts, or ESAs, fielding questions submitted by the LLC.
Their visit came just a few days after Gov. Greg Abbott shared seven emergency items for the Legislature, three of which impact education: school choice, teacher pay and property tax relief. The four lawmakers told the LLC they shared Abbott’s priorities.
Several legislators encouraged committee members to maintain an open line of communication, emphasizing the value of continued engagement between community members and lawmakers.
“The thing that’s had the biggest impact on me is visiting schools and talking to teachers,” said Rep. Shaheen.
Newly elected Sen. Hagenbuch urged community members to speak up about their priorities. “Communicating with us is important,” he said. “We have an open door for that.”
Frisco ISD deeply appreciates the lawmakers who take time to connect with District leaders, educators, students and the broader community. Their willingness to engage in meaningful conversations reflects a shared commitment to the future of public education.
The 89th Texas Legislature began Jan. 14 and runs through June 2.
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