North Texas News

Charles Wright, a parent from Rockwall, expressed his decision to choose the best school for his two daughters without receiving any financial support from the state. Wright provided his statement to the North Texas News on February 14th.

"It is very important that parents have a choice in sending their children to the best school they think is best," said Wright. "School choice is what I did with my two girls but I did not get any support from the state. I paid out of my own pocket to see my girls not only get a good education but they avoided all the bad stuff that goes on in public school."

As of January 2024, EdWeek reports that 28 states and the District of Columbia have implemented at least one private school choice program, such as vouchers, tax-credit scholarships, or education savings accounts. Texas remains the largest state without such an initiative. Recent legislative efforts, including Senate Bill 2, aim to introduce education savings accounts to allow families to use public funds for private schooling.

According to NBC DFW News, in Texas, the debate over school choice has intensified with Senate Bill 2's advancement. The bill proposes a $1 billion voucher program providing families with $10,000 per student annually for private school tuition and related expenses. Governor Greg Abbott supports this initiative, stating it empowers parents to choose better educational options for their children. Although the bill has passed the Texas Senate, it faces challenges in the House due to opposition from a coalition of rural Republicans and Democrats.

Rockwall ISD has faced safety concerns following several incidents. According to Dallas Express, parents have raised alarms over student well-being. Families gathered in front of Rockwall High School with signs urging students to join their march to the courthouse. Corey Booth, a Rockwall mother whose son is involved in sexual abuse allegations against a pre-K teacher still employed at Springer Elementary, has been vocal in these protests. Booth said in a Facebook video that "these schools have a lot of problems," emphasizing that her case is just one among many. Protesters argue that the district prioritizes protecting staff over student safety.

Families have shared accounts of misconduct within Rockwall ISD. Former student Lacy Stovall reported her sexual assault claim was dismissed in 2018 and said they "didn't listen" at that time. Rockwall mom Christina Dawson mentioned her daughter was injured while in police custody after being bullied at school; however, administrators have not released statements or video footage regarding this incident. Dawson said: "This is not an isolated incident." In response to these concerns, Rockwall ISD trustees agreed to extend school video retention to 120 days; however, Booth and others insist more changes are necessary.

Rockwall Independent School District (Rockwall ISD) serves over 17,000 students across 23 campuses in Rockwall County, Texas.