Texas taxpayers are spending billions on public education but how much of that money is actually reaching teachers and classrooms?
In this episode of Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin, Mandy sits down with James Quintero of TPPF’s Taxpayer Protection Project to examine administrative bloat in Texas public schools, rising superintendent compensation, and the impact these spending decisions can have on taxpayers.
According to data discussed in the episode, Texas public schools spent approximately $19.5 billion on non-teacher compensation, while hundreds of superintendents earn salaries exceeding that of the Governor of Texas. Mandy and James also break down the additional benefits some superintendent contracts include, from vehicle and housing allowances to retirement contributions, bonuses, and other taxpayer-funded perks.
The conversation examines several examples from Texas school districts, including superintendent housing arrangements, administrative spending, executive search firms, school district debt, and the relationship between spending and student academic performance.
Mandy and James also discuss the dramatic growth of non-teacher staffing in Texas schools, taxpayer-funded lobbying, and why they believe the Texas Legislature should consider stronger guardrails to ensure education dollars are prioritized toward teachers, students, and classrooms.
Watch the full episode to learn more about:
Texas superintendent salaries and compensation packages
Administrative bloat in Texas public schools
How education dollars are being spent
School district debt and property taxes
Superintendent housing and additional benefits
Teacher vs. non-teacher staffing growth
Student outcomes and administrative spending
Taxpayer-funded lobbying
Potential reforms for the Texas Legislature
Transparency and accountability in Texas school districts