CISD 2003/08/26Comments to the Coppell City Council on ESL Grant - 8/26/03
Jerry L. Coker
I am here tonight to remind you that the voters passed the 1 /2 cent sales tax by only a slim
margin. Most of us who actively lobbied for the tax did so with the expectation that the
City would spend the money wisely.
We did not and do not expect the City to "rubber stamp" applications. Part of your
responsibility and accountability is to scrutinize these applications, to ensure they will be
funding programs at the most cost effective level possible. This does NOT mean that you
are acting as a "quasi- School Board."
Just because we may disagree with a School Board about the use of funds for a particular
grant, does NOT mean that we want to withhold these funds from the School District.
This is NOT holding money "over their head." As an example, the District could have
requested funding for the 19 language teachers at Coppell High.
As to ESL, in the Elementary campuses, the student - teacher ratios are very low. While
this sounds good, it is not an effective use of funds. It goes way beyond state mandates,
with some classes having only five (5) students. In contrast, in most other classes, we are
at the state mandated maximum of 22. Also, this application requests funding for two (2)
aides, who are not required.
ESL is offered at 8 of the 10 campuses, and could be offered at a lesser number. While
that would require bussing, we are already bussing from the two (2) schools not served.
In contrast, we are requiring new students who are not in ESL to move to another campus
if all the classes at their zoned campus are full.
In the information sent out by the City prior to the sales tax election, it states that " .. .
educational institutions ... shall submit grant requests for programs that promote a skilled
workforce in the areas of literacy, computer technology and foreign languages.
SHOULD a request be selected, a grant offer shall be made ..."
So, this does NOT mean that just because a district meets one of the areas, that the
request must be approved. You DO have discretion, it was advertised as such by the
City, and it is fully within the bounds of 379A.
Therefore, I urge ou not to approve this application.
Thank you.