Some Pennies Are More Equal Than Others: Inequitable School Facilities Investment in San Antonio, Texas

• In Event: 56.055 - Equity and Adequacy in Public School Funding: Considering State and District Investments in Schools

Abstract

In Texas, local taxpayers fund the majority of educational facilities construction, with local wealth influencing facilities outcomes. I examine twelve school districts in the San Antonio area, which vary considerably in property wealth per student as well as district capacity, asking: a) To what extent does the quality of facilities vary by district? b) To what extent do state and local investment vary by district? c) How do district actions and constraints affect facilities quality and equitable investment? Methods include critical visual analysis of school facilities, quantitative analysis of facilities investment data, and qualitative interviews with school district leaders, staff, and school finance experts. Findings indicate that district property wealth as well as district actions and constraints determine facilities outcomes.

Authors

• Marialena Dawn Rivera, Texas State University

• Sonia Rey Lopez, Texas State University