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Advocacy for Texas Public Education: A Call for Stronger Support and Funding

El Paso Matters•Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 8:09 PM•Special to El Paso Matters

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Rosie Perez, a former public school teacher and founder of the West Texas Alliance, emphasizes the urgent need for increased funding and community advocacy for Texas public education. Despite a recent $8.5 billion funding boost from the Texas Legislature, the state still ranks among the lowest in per-pupil funding, which affects the quality of education and leads to budget deficits and potential school closures. Perez advocates for the establishment of the Legacy Endowment Fund as a sustainable funding source and highlights the importance of community involvement in supporting local schools. She encourages El Paso residents to unite in their efforts to influence educational policies that impact their children and the future workforce.

Key Details: • Texas ranks in the bottom 10 states for per-pupil funding despite recent increases. • The Legacy Endowment Fund could provide sustainable funding for public schools. • Community advocacy is crucial for influencing educational policy at the Texas Capitol. • The West Texas Alliance supports multiple school districts in El Paso, including Socorro ISD, Clint ISD, and Ysleta ISD.

community education funding public-schools advocacy

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El PasoYsleta ISDSocorro ISDRosie PerezClint ISDWest Texas AllianceRaise Your Hand Texas

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