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Letter to Constituents
April 23, 2007
Dear Friends and fellow Texans,
I’d like to call your attention to a couple of developments
in the 80th Legislative session that might be of interest
to you – especially to public school teachers and administrators.
On Tuesday morning, April 23, I will present House Bill
1982 to the House Public Education Committee. H.B. 1982
creates the Texas Education Administrative Management (TEAM)
Institute of Texas, which would provide teachers with training
that could be counted as graduate-level class credits and
would meet the State Board of Education’s continuing
education requirements.
The TEAM Institute is based on an established, acclaimed
training program for Texas police officers called the Bill
Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT).
LEMIT provides state-of-the-art training and law-enforcement
and management courses. The institute brings in respected
or renowned experts in management, administration, and law
enforcement to teach courses in their specific fields of
expertise.
LEMIT provided the finest continuing education that I received
in my 30-year career as a police officer. I knew that this
type of training could be adapted for professionals in other
fields, especially education. H.B. 1982 takes the successful
LEMIT model, removes the law enforcement component, and replaces
it with courses specifically designed for educators who are
on track to become administrators.
If H.B. 1982 becomes law, then Texas teachers, as part of
their required continuing education, can choose to attend
the TEAM Institute for advanced training in management, administration,
and education. The classes will similarly be taught by experts
brought in from around the world, who will present curriculum
in advanced education principles and administration using
sound science, current research and proven strategies.
The TEAM Institute will be administered by Sam Houston State
University, since the university already has the experience,
resources, and staff to develop and support an institute
that is based on its successful LEMIT model.
Courses will be offered at three state universities: Sam
Houston State University, the University of North Texas,
and Texas State University in San Marcos.
I’ve asked Jim Alexander from Texas Woman’s
University, and Genevieve Brown from Sam Houston State University
to testify on behalf of this legislation during the Tuesday
committee hearing (Tuesday, April 23, at 8 a.m.).
Another update, on the subject of teacher pay raises, deserves
your attention.
As the budget process has continued to unfold, I have come
to appreciate the phrase “sipping water from a fire
hose” with an entirely new understanding. I am impressed
and humbled by my colleagues who have collaborated and worked
long hours to craft a budget that addresses the countless
needs of the state, and reflects the will of Texas voters.
And I have seen firsthand how seemingly straight-forward
legislation can be derailed because of troubling issues that
appear beneath the surface of its good intentions.
I voted in favor of legislation that I believed would provide
an across-the-board pay raise for Texas teachers, but I have
since learned that this is not the case. In fact, money that
many thought would go directly to teachers is not specifically
earmarked for an across-the-board raise.
While those education dollars will go to school districts,
the districts have the final say-so in how to allocate those
funds. That means, in essence, that the across-the-board
$850 teacher pay raise that I voted for will not be distributed
in a manner that guarantees a pay raise for every teacher.
I'm working with my fellow republicans to come up with a
real and equitable alternative – and will, I hope,
put money back in the hands of our teachers. I will continue
to do all I can to help resolve this issue. That means working
with my colleagues in both the House and Senate. It also
means working with you, the people of District 101 – especially
those of you who have a personal or professional interest
in our public schools. I can’t serve as your voice
in Austin if I don’t hear from you. I encourage you
to call or write my office and talk to my staff about your
opinion in this matter.
A lot will happen between now and the end of the 80th Legislative
Session, which is fast approaching. Please continue to check
this website, and check in with my staff, between now and
then. Texas teachers and public schools continue to be top
priorities. I will vote for the budget plan that I believe
will send the most money possible to Texas teachers and Texas
public schools.
Thomas
Latham |
