Upcoming Events
MONDAY, 2/8 BLUE
TUESDAY, 2/9 GREEN
Band Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper and Concert, 5:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, 2/10 BLUE
8th gr District Swim Meet, Lamar HS, 4:30 p.m.
Boys' Basketball @ Key MS, 5:30 p.m
Girl's Basketball vs Key MS, @ Pin Oak, 5:30 p.m.
Boys' Basketball @ Key MS, 5:30 p.m
Girl's Basketball vs Key MS, @ Pin Oak, 5:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, 2/11 GREEN
PTO Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Boys/Girls Soccer v Lanier @ POMS, 4:30 p.m.
Boys/Girls Soccer v Lanier @ POMS, 4:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, 2/12 CHARGER
Heart 2 Heart Valentine's Dance, 6th & 7th gr, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Last Day of 4th Grading Cycle
PTO Staff Appreciation Valentine's Dessert Buffet
SATURDAY, 2/13
MS Debate Competition @ Scarborough
Pegasus HISD Competition @ Waltrip HS
Jr Cheer Clinic - CANCELLED
Meet Mr. McDonough, Principal of Bellaire HS
During our regular PTO Meeting on Thursday, we welcome Michael McDonough, Principal of Bellaire HS. He will be here to talk about the many opportunities and offerings at Bellaire HS.
Please be aware that if your child needs a bit extra and if you want to have him/her in algebra for seventh, it will be necessary for him/her to attend math camp at Pin Oak, 8:00 am – noon, Monday-Thursdays, June 13-30, 2016. This is an intensive study, with each day being equivalent to over a week of normal instruction. Accordingly, students who wish to participate are expected and required to attend the full session. We’re writing to let you know this now so that you may have time to plan your summer accordingly.
Budget Shortfall FAQs
Why is the district facing a $107 million budget shortfall for the 2016-2017 school year?
Under the state’s current funding structure, the Houston Independent School District is required to make a “recapture” payment to the state under Chapter 41 of the Texas Education Code. The “recapture” payment for the 2016-2017 school year amounts to approximately $165 million. HISD is able to pay $58 million of that amount, but the remaining $107 million will need to be cut from the 2016-2017 budget.
What is Chapter 41?
Chapter 41 law, commonly known as the “Robin Hood Plan,” was passed by the Texas Legislature in 1993 in an attempt to equalize disparities between property-wealthy and property-poor districts. Under the law, the state can take money from property-wealthy districts with revenue that exceeds a state-set level and redistribute the funds to property-poor districts — a process known as “recapture.” Though nearly 80 percent of HISD students come from low-income families, rising property values throughout Houston caused HISD in 2015 to exceed the state-set level and go into “recapture.”
Who receives the money HISD must pay in “recapture”?
The state uses “recapture” dollars from wealthier districts not just to redistribute to poorer districts, but also to put into the state’s general revenue to pay for non-educational purposes.
What options does HISD have in making a “recapture” payment to the state?
School districts in Texas subject to “recapture” have five options to equalize wealth, and districts may exercise these options singly or in combination:
Option 1: Consolidate with another district
Option 2: Detach property
Option 3: Purchase credits from the state and send revenue to the state
Option 4: Contract to educate non-resident students from a partner district and send revenue to a property-poor district(s)
Option 5: Consolidate tax bases with another district
Options 3 and 4 must be approved by voters. If HISD voters do not approve sending $165 million of local property taxes to the state, then the commissioner of education is required to take billions of dollars of property from HISD and attach it to other school districts across Texas.
If HISD entered “recapture” in 2015, why wasn’t there a large budget shortfall for the 2015-2016 school year?
In 2015, HISD’s legislative team, along with board members, parents, and community members, lobbied aggressively during the 84th legislative session for a school finance bill that would keep HISD out of “recapture.” That bill did not pass. Fortunately, at the end of the legislative session, lawmakers put $1.2 billion into the state school fund program. By using these last-minute funds, HISD was able to offset its $47 million “recapture” payment for the 2015-2016 school year.
Can HISD’s legislative team lobby again this year for a school finance bill?
Unfortunately, the Texas Legislature will not meet again until 2017. Although the governor can legally call a special session requiring lawmakers to meet this year, it is highly unlikely.
Why is HISD considered wealthy if nearly 80 percent of the district’s students are economically disadvantaged?
A district’s wealth is measured in terms of the taxable value of property within the district’s borders, divided by the number of students in weighted average daily attendance (WADA). If a district’s wealth per WADA exceeds limits established in law, the district is considered “wealthy.” Student demographic percentages do not impact this designation.
Can HISD lower property values to avoid “recapture”?
No. Though the HISD school board adopts a property tax rate, the district cannot determine property values. Property values are determined by Harris County Appraisal District.
Can HISD change its tax rate to avoid “recapture”?
No, that is not an option. Even if HISD were able to raise its tax rate, the district would generate more revenue, but a portion of this new revenue would become subject to “recapture.”
How will HISD prepare a 2016-2017 budget with a $107 million shortfall?
HISD’s chief financial officer and budget team are in the process of analyzing the district’s current expenditures and budget needs and are examining possible areas where cuts can be made. The Board of Education, which ultimately approves the district’s budget, will be holding several public workshops over the next several months in which board members will examine and weigh in on different proposals and suggested cuts presented by the district. The board and chief financial officer have said their top priority is protecting classroom budgets.
Heart 2 Heart Valentine's Dance, 6th & 7th gr, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Last Day of 4th Grading Cycle
PTO Staff Appreciation Valentine's Dessert Buffet
SATURDAY, 2/13
MS Debate Competition @ Scarborough
Pegasus HISD Competition @ Waltrip HS
Jr Cheer Clinic - CANCELLED
Meet Mr. McDonough, Principal of Bellaire HS
During our regular PTO Meeting on Thursday, we welcome Michael McDonough, Principal of Bellaire HS. He will be here to talk about the many opportunities and offerings at Bellaire HS.
Algebra Information for 6th grade families
Pin Oak offers high school Pre-AP© Algebra 1A/1B in both seventh
and eighth grades. Students who succeed
in algebra in seventh then have the opportunity to take high school Pre-AP©
Geometry A/B in eighth. Students who
complete algebra and/or geometry have the opportunity to take Advanced
Placement© math classes in high school.
Because many middle schoolers are not yet ready for high school
courses, we will carefully evaluate all our current sixth and seventh graders
in an attempt to predict which are likely to be successful in early algebra. It is our intent to use as many factors as are
available to ensure that each child is placed in courses that will bring out
his/her own personal best and provide each a positive experience that will spur
him/her on to a love of learning. The
criteria we use will include:
standardized test scores, math class average, teacher evaluation, and an
algebra readiness test. No special
preparation is needed, other than their math classes.
This is our fifth year to have seventh graders in algebra. Each year when we evaluated sixth graders’ readiness,
we found many who were ready, but there also were many who would likely do
well with a bit of extra instruction to be ready for algebra. We have provided this extra help each year
during in a summer advanced pre-algebra math camp. We monitor students as they progress from
pre-algebra to geometry and now have several years of results. We have found no significant difference in
the ultimate success of students who initially qualified outright for algebra
in seventh and those whose entry was contingent upon completion of the math
camp. In other words, math camp appears
to bring those who are “almost there” before algebra to success through
geometry.
In May 2016, we will evaluate all sixth graders for algebra
readiness, and will advise you of your child’s recommended placement. It is likely that there will again be three
groups: those ready, those not ready,
and those who would likely do well with a bit more pre-algebra.
Please be aware that if your child needs a bit extra and if you want to have him/her in algebra for seventh, it will be necessary for him/her to attend math camp at Pin Oak, 8:00 am – noon, Monday-Thursdays, June 13-30, 2016. This is an intensive study, with each day being equivalent to over a week of normal instruction. Accordingly, students who wish to participate are expected and required to attend the full session. We’re writing to let you know this now so that you may have time to plan your summer accordingly.
Taking these courses at an early age is best for some students, but not
for all. Many students thrive and
flourish, but others find discouragement and dismay. We pledge to use our best judgment to
recommend the best placement for your child’s success.
Budget Shortfall FAQs
Why is the district facing a $107 million budget shortfall for the 2016-2017 school year?
Under the state’s current funding structure, the Houston Independent School District is required to make a “recapture” payment to the state under Chapter 41 of the Texas Education Code. The “recapture” payment for the 2016-2017 school year amounts to approximately $165 million. HISD is able to pay $58 million of that amount, but the remaining $107 million will need to be cut from the 2016-2017 budget.
What is Chapter 41?
Chapter 41 law, commonly known as the “Robin Hood Plan,” was passed by the Texas Legislature in 1993 in an attempt to equalize disparities between property-wealthy and property-poor districts. Under the law, the state can take money from property-wealthy districts with revenue that exceeds a state-set level and redistribute the funds to property-poor districts — a process known as “recapture.” Though nearly 80 percent of HISD students come from low-income families, rising property values throughout Houston caused HISD in 2015 to exceed the state-set level and go into “recapture.”
Who receives the money HISD must pay in “recapture”?
The state uses “recapture” dollars from wealthier districts not just to redistribute to poorer districts, but also to put into the state’s general revenue to pay for non-educational purposes.
What options does HISD have in making a “recapture” payment to the state?
School districts in Texas subject to “recapture” have five options to equalize wealth, and districts may exercise these options singly or in combination:
Option 1: Consolidate with another district
Option 2: Detach property
Option 3: Purchase credits from the state and send revenue to the state
Option 4: Contract to educate non-resident students from a partner district and send revenue to a property-poor district(s)
Option 5: Consolidate tax bases with another district
Options 3 and 4 must be approved by voters. If HISD voters do not approve sending $165 million of local property taxes to the state, then the commissioner of education is required to take billions of dollars of property from HISD and attach it to other school districts across Texas.
If HISD entered “recapture” in 2015, why wasn’t there a large budget shortfall for the 2015-2016 school year?
In 2015, HISD’s legislative team, along with board members, parents, and community members, lobbied aggressively during the 84th legislative session for a school finance bill that would keep HISD out of “recapture.” That bill did not pass. Fortunately, at the end of the legislative session, lawmakers put $1.2 billion into the state school fund program. By using these last-minute funds, HISD was able to offset its $47 million “recapture” payment for the 2015-2016 school year.
Can HISD’s legislative team lobby again this year for a school finance bill?
Unfortunately, the Texas Legislature will not meet again until 2017. Although the governor can legally call a special session requiring lawmakers to meet this year, it is highly unlikely.
Why is HISD considered wealthy if nearly 80 percent of the district’s students are economically disadvantaged?
A district’s wealth is measured in terms of the taxable value of property within the district’s borders, divided by the number of students in weighted average daily attendance (WADA). If a district’s wealth per WADA exceeds limits established in law, the district is considered “wealthy.” Student demographic percentages do not impact this designation.
Can HISD lower property values to avoid “recapture”?
No. Though the HISD school board adopts a property tax rate, the district cannot determine property values. Property values are determined by Harris County Appraisal District.
Can HISD change its tax rate to avoid “recapture”?
No, that is not an option. Even if HISD were able to raise its tax rate, the district would generate more revenue, but a portion of this new revenue would become subject to “recapture.”
How will HISD prepare a 2016-2017 budget with a $107 million shortfall?
HISD’s chief financial officer and budget team are in the process of analyzing the district’s current expenditures and budget needs and are examining possible areas where cuts can be made. The Board of Education, which ultimately approves the district’s budget, will be holding several public workshops over the next several months in which board members will examine and weigh in on different proposals and suggested cuts presented by the district. The board and chief financial officer have said their top priority is protecting classroom budgets.
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