AUSTIN - - Public Education in Texas is running $1 billion short, meaning officials will soon have to seek that much in supplemental appropriations from the state Legislature.
That's what Shirley Beaulieu, chief financial officer at the Texas Education Agency, told the court Monday during the state's sweeping school finance trial.
Beaulieu said a $1 billion supplemental appropriation request will be necessary in coming weeks to help school districts make their July expense payments.
Her revelation came as the case before state district Jude John Dietz resumed after a three-week holiday break.
More than 600 school districts have sued Texas over the way it funds public schools. Attorneys for the districts say the shortfall Beaulieu divulged shows the funding situation for schools is more dire than previously thought.
