But the Chamber did not back off on its previous position statement that asked its 350 members to oppose BISD’s proposed 6-cent tax rate hike request.
In that statement, released last week to chamber members, the chamber’s public affairs committee said Beeville ISD teachers did not deserve a pay raise because of poor student performance. The Chamber specifically cited the poor performance of two campuses, Moreno Middle School and A.C. Jones High School.
Thursday’s announcement, in the form of an opinion column written by Chamber President Pam Priour Stuart, came after an outcry by BISD faculty and staff whose pay raises depend on voters passing the tax rate hike on Nov. 4.
“The Chamber’s position statement on the tax rate election reflects the business community’s concerns about the performance of our schools,” Stuart explained in her column. “However, the Chamber also recognizes the burdens and challenges faced by our educators. Clearly, the state system of funding schools (including the tax rate election process) does not adequately fund districts such as the BISD.”
She said the Chamber also knows that the BISD is one of the most under-funded districts in the state, and the Chamber is prepared to use its influence and resources in an effort to change the funding laws.
The Chamber also acknowledges that our educators face significant challenges in their day-to-day efforts to teach children, she added.
Some classrooms are overcrowded, too many children have little or no parental support, school discipline issues occur daily, and some students just don’t want to be there, she said.
“The list of challenges to quality education is endless, and consequently, the Chamber has resolved to lend a hand,” Stuart said.
“In recognition of these obstacles, and in affirmation of the community’s need to come together in support of educational excellence, the Chamber board of directors has authorized board President Karl Arnst to appoint an educational excellence task force. The mission of the task force will be to meet with BISD representatives to identify the ways in which the Chamber membership and resources can be focused in support of educational excellence in this community.”
BISD Superintendent Dr. John Hardwick Jr. said the district shares the Chamber’s concerns and welcomes the Chamber’s involvement.
“We will accept the offer by the Chamber of Commerce to make it a priority on helping our community value education,” he said in a written statement included in Stuart’s column. “This urgency by the Chamber of Commerce to become more involved was an important step in helping me realize that they understood that our urgency for school finance is based on the huge range of needs in our system that has us as the ‘poster child’ for under-funded schools. We have some incredible examples of quality education coming out of Beeville ISD. We have a large number of challenges that we need to ‘circle up the wagons’ in order to address.”
Hardwick said he met with Chamber leaders on Thursday morning and explained to them the difficult task that BISD educators face every day to address the incredible range of learning needs in students.
Hardwick acknowledged the Chamber’s opposition to the district’s tax rate increase request was a blow to employees.
“Much of the Beeville ISD community perceives that a blow to our integrity was delivered by the stance of our Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “I do not like the setback that this has caused for our district. It is a distraction that occurs at a time when our teachers are working hard to squeeze every moment out of every day to prepare our students to perform well.”
He said he assured the Chamber members that even if voters reject the tax rate hike request, the school district will continue to do the best job possible educating students.
“Whatever happens we will get up on Nov. 5, look at the results of the election, and adjust accordingly,” he told Chamber leaders.
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