According to Superintendent Keith Bryant, Bullard ISD is among the lowest funded schools in Texas. Above is a graph with a red arrow. The arrow represents where Bullard is on the state fudning scale. On the X axis (bottom) it shows the tax rate near $1, and the amount per student (Y axis) is just under $5,000. Although Bullard ISD has hire taxes than many school, the state gives less to Bullard becasue of complex state requirments. Keith Bryant might seem like the type of superintendent who takes matters into his own hands.

Although he says it is because the Bullard ISD Board of Directors are supportive, it helps that he has a political savvy leaning to jump front and center.

This legislative session, Bryant will be in the mix testifying and urging politicians in Austin's pink dome to change ISD funding requirements.

"I don't know that it will be a session that focuses on a revamping of the school finance system," Bryant said. "But I think the leadership at the capitol wants to put some money in education."

What schools are hoping for, especially Bullard ISD, is for some relief when it comes to the revenue system set up by the Texas Legislature, which puts a floor on how much money schools receive and a cap based on students.

People think since Bullard has new facilities and newer houses the school district is doing great, Bryant said.

But it is not so.

Actually, Bullard ISD is among the schools that receive the least amount of funding.

Bullard receives just below 5,000 per student. The top school receives about $10,000 per student.

"There is no way to increase the amount of money you get unless your enrollment increases. your voters approve a tax increase or the Legislature gives additional money," he said.

Bryant said if Bullard could double its money per student, and receive 10,000 per student like one school in Texas, the amount of academic support, technology and advanced courses would shoot through the roof.

"But because our zip code is where it is we get $5,000."

So with state organizations and other superintendents, the first focus for public schools is to fix that graph seen on Page One. Bryant and others want to make it more equitable.

"The second thing is there are some adjustments in the funding formula that have not been made for a long time."

The amount of money schools receive for transportation has not increased since 1984. And as Bryant said fuel, bus maintenance, buses and employee costs have all increased. The technology allotment shares similarities with the transportation allotment.

"There also needs to be some sort of inflationary adjustment."

So how will Bryant change views in Austin. Well, first, Bryant will be going down to Austin testifying in legislative committee meetings or testify about proposed legislation. He will meet with state senators or representatives and staff members about proposals.

But, Bryant said none of this would be possible without a supportive school board.

"The work we do down there legislatively will benefit Bullard ISD."