We'll Pay You Back Later
During the legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill that required teachers across the state to get fingerprint background checks, which cost about $50 each. Who would pay? It appears it won't be teachers themselves, after some concerns about that earlier this summer.
TEA (more specifically, acting commissioner Robert Scott) has received a letter from Perry, Dewhurst and Craddick that says the agency will have to foot the bill for the background checks.
Here's the "nut graph":
Dear Mr. Scott: We request that you utilize the Texas Education Agency's transfer authority to cover the cost of conducting criminal history record information reviewed complemlated in SB 9, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, excepting the portion of the cost that are internal to the Texas Education Agency. For the portion of the cost which is internal to the Texas Education Agency, we request that you spend forward up to $1.2 million, from FY 09 if necessary, and we will use our best efforts to cover this cost next session through a supplemental appropriation.
The letter goes on to say that only active, certified educators who haven't undergone a criminal background check of this kind in the past should get a new background check. And that the overall cost should not exceed $10 million.
The Morning News reports that teacher groups are breathing a sigh of relief, now that they're not stuck with the tab.
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