In the "Robin Hood" plan, money can be taken away from wealthy school districts and given to other districts that aren't as wealthy.Chapter 313, however, does not allow the "Robin Hood" plan to reach into the money given to school districts by companies such as wind energy.
According to the tax code, chapter 313's purpose is "to encourage large-scale capital investments in this state, especially in school districts that have an ad valorem tax base that is less than the statewide average ad valorem tax base of school districts in this state." Meaning, if an agreement is made with a large investor then tax breaks are given to the investor and money to the schools.
Companies such as energy wind turbine companies get a huge tax break but have to give the school district in that community a percentage of the tax savings, in some case it could be 40% equaling up to $10 million dollars handed out through several years.
This chapter 313 agreement is not allowed to be taken by "Robin Hood," it is out of the agreements reach unless House Bill 1273 is passed.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are trying to pass House Bill 1273 and the bill says that money given by wind energy farms to wealthy districts need to be part of "Robin Hood." "Robin Hood" will then distribute the money through out other districts.
Now some school districts in the Big Country can be heavily affected if House Bill 1273 passes.
Clyde Superintendent Dr. Gail Haterius says that just as they were given money for the wind turbines, Texas can take it away. "Lets say we got one million dollars this year then what she would do would be that we would get one million less from our foundation school funds so basically it would negate any benefit that you've got from having the wind farm."
Dr. Haterius said her concern is that the money is needed for repairs, renovations, and technology among other things, and if the bill passes schools would lose millions of dollars promised to the district.
"Any money we have is spent for our students and our staff in order to provide the best educational environment that we can," said Dr. Haterius.
Dr. Haterius adds some of the bills proposed are concerning. "They are all a little bit scary right now and we're watching them because we would not like this money to go away and there's a real possibility that it might."
The bill has not passed yet and although House Bill 1273 could take money away from several Big Country school districts, it could also give money to others not considered wealthy.
