'Educator Bill of Rights' seeks to address teacher pay, safety in upcoming Texas session

AUSTIN, Texas — We’re a few months away from the start of a new legislative session and the Texas American Federation of Teachers is laying out the priorities they’d like lawmakers to address.

Known as the Educator Bill of Rights, it looks to address critical problems such as teacher pay.

The A.F.T. says the public education system is broken, forcing teachers, bus drivers, and support staff out of the profession and leaving schools to close or operate without the resources they need. In a state sitting on a $32 billion surplus, the group hopes these priorities could right the ship, with “rights” covering everything from teacher pay, to book bans and classroom safety.

“All of this is connected to funding, it’s all connected to funding.” Education Austin President Ken Zarifis said.

Zarifis says Austin ISD’s $119 million budget deficit is emblematic of a larger, statewide problem. Even if voters approve a tax rate increase in November, the district will still be in a dire situation.

“That’s all we can do locally before we start cutting services and possibly people,” Zarifis said. “So the state needs to step in.”

That’s why he’s such a fan of the Educators Bill of Rights released in San Antonio and Dallas Tuesday by The Texas American Federation of Teachers. It’s a list of priorities they plan to bring to the upcoming legislative session which starts in January. Zarafis’ union is part of the AFT.

“The Bill of Rights is asking for a respectful workplace, a place where we feel safe, that we feel honored,” Zarifis said. “How do we support our kids?”

The AFT lists ten rights: the right to reasonable working conditions, fair wages, a secure retirement, quality childcare, a healthy safe, and secure working environment, academic freedom, meaningful training and development, organizing, democratic representation, and freedom of religion.

ALSO| Central Texas school districts approve pay raises despite budget concerns

“This is legislation that focuses on overwhelming popular priorities: fully funding our public schools, supporting our kids with the resources they need, and keeping our educators where they belong: in our public schools.” A representative with A.F.T. said.

Of chief concern, is that Texas teachers make $9,000 less than the national average, and the AFT says 70 percent of its 66,000 members have considered leaving the industry.

“This gap not only undervalues our profession but also directly impacts our ability to attract and retain the best educators for our students.” Northside A.F.T. Teacher Ledda Arcelus said.

Many teachers also worry about gun violence and are working in classrooms without air conditioning, or in schools where religious freedoms aren’t respected. There’s also the issue of retirement pensions and childcare for working professionals, which present other problems.

“No public school student should have to endure cuts that compromise their education, and no educator should have to choose between filling a prescription or putting gas in their car just to do the job that they love,” Arcelus said.

Zarifis believes if these rights can be achieved, not only will it keep much-needed professionals in the classroom, but will bring students the quality education they deserve.

“What happens at the state impacts every student in this state, and this bill of rights addresses the needs that we know as professionals on our campuses and in public schools, what our kids need,” Zarifis said.

The 89th Legislative Session begins January 14.

To see a full list of the Educator Bill of Rights, click here.