Bohac Looks to Strengthen Public Schools
AUSTIN - As the 140-day session of the Texas Legislature continues, State Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) has filed four bills that will strengthen the state’s public school system.
“It is imperative that we continue making education a priority in Austin,” Bohac said. “My bills strengthen the teacher/parent relationship, protect teachers from violence in schools, increase pay for teachers and make buying school supplies easier for hardworking families.”
To strengthen the parent/student/teacher relationship Bohac filed HB 1026 which requires teachers, students and parents to enter into a contract that lays out the respective responsibilities of each individual involved in the student’s education. The bill was inspired by a contract used by a charter school run by Spring Branch Independent School District in Houston, however, school districts will have complete local control to craft and adopt their own contract for their own special needs.
“We say it over and over again, but the parent is truly the most essential element in a child’s education,” Bohac said. “Teachers tell me all the time that they need parents to an active role in education, and I believe this will help do that.”
Bohac also focused on recruiting and retaining great teachers when crafting his education agenda. House Bill 1025 will increase by $3,000 a year the salaries for teachers, counselors and librarians.
”Our teachers’ salaries in Texas are still below the national average,” Bohac said. “Even with the $2,000 passed in the last special session and Texas’ new, innovative incentive pay program we still need to make sure we are paying teachers what they deserve. The best teachers are essential to a successful education.”
Teachers will also find that they have more legal protection if Bohac’s HB 1026 is passed. The bill gives teachers the title of public servant and increases the penalty for those who would assault a teacher in the course of their duties.
”We give police officers, fire fighters and even state representatives this same distinction,” Bohac said. “If you assault a teacher, under my bill, it would be just like you assaulted a police officer - it’s a felony.”
Another of Bohac’s bills, HB 1027, will extend the annual sales tax holiday on clothes to include school supplies. Under current law, most clothing and footwear priced at less than $100 are tax-free during the first weekend in August of each year. Rep. Bohac’s bill would, however, expand this to cover the cost of classroom items that children are required to have - supplies that many Texas families struggle to afford each school year.
”It’s time we add backpacks and school supplies to the Sales Tax Holiday,” Bohac said. “Texas families deserve a tax break to help them with the cost of items kids are required to have for the classroom, and school supplies are essential to obtaining a quality education.”