Aledo ISD Continues to Push for Equity in School Finance
Equity Center Radio | August 27, 2010 | Bobby J. Rigues, Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of Aledo Independent School District, and Superintendent of Schools Don Daniel Talk to Wayne Pierce About How Aledo ISD’s Board Members and Superintendent are Taking the Fight for Fair and Adequate Education Funding Around the State
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Today’s podcast features, Bobby J. Rigues, the Vice-President of the school board of Aledo Independent School District, and its Superintendent, Don Daniel. Bobby and Don discuss AISD’s unique and inspiring grassroots efforts to reach out to the local community. But what started out as a local effort by Aledo ISD’s board members to educate their constituency about how the “target revenue” system of funding public education was hurting their community, in general, and, in particular, their school district and its students’ educational opportunities, has now turned into an state-wide effort of school board members to obtain fair and equitable funding for all public school systems. The effort climaxed with yesterday’s mass email to school board members throughout the state calling for immediate action, including signing petitions and passing a resolution calling on the legislature to fix the broken system. By getting individuals and board members all across the state behind a common message to make education a priority, they want to work with the legislature and state leaders and influence state policy. The Equity Center applauds their leadership and agrees that an overhaul is necessary and long overdue. You can read their resolution, more about their project, and review their “Board Member” call-to-action email at www.schoolpriority.com.
Bobby J. Rigues
Don Daniel
In 1988, Bobby J. Rigues gave up the duties of teaching and coaching high school students for the pursuit of self-employment. Over the years, the memories of being a positive influence to the students that crossed his path grew with value. In 2004, Bobby rekindled his passion for student education from a different position. Today, into his 7th year as an Aledo ISD Board Trustee, he currently holds the position as Vice President.
Don earned his Master’s in Education from Tarleton State University and his Bachelor of Science from Texas Wesleyan University. He has also done post-graduate work at UCLA and at Lamar Universities. He began his career in education as a teacher/coach at Crowley ISD, ultimately becoming its Assistant Superintendent. He became Superintendent of Aledo ISD in 1999. He lives by the motto “Do not see the child for what he is — See him for what he can become!”
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About staff
We are the only education association in Texas which exclusively represents the interests of low and mid-wealth (Tier 2) school districts, whose access to state and local funds for operations and facilities is significantly less than that enjoyed by other districts.
Founded in 1982, the Equity Center is the largest research and advocacy organization of its kind in the nation.
Today, about 90% of all Texas students attend school in the 900+ districts eligible for regular membership in the Equity Center. To be eligible, a district must receive Tier 2 funding.
Whether researching or developing policy alternatives, “crunching numbers” for a multitude of finance proposals, testifying before legislative committees, making presentations to school groups across the state, or working with state agencies, the Equity Center concentrates all of its energy on improving the financial status of our school districts.