Aycock selected to serve on school finance committee

District 54 state Representative Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen) recently received an appointment to the state Select Committee on Public School Finance Weights, Allotments and Adjustments.

The committee, charged with promoting school accountability and post-secondary educational readiness, will review 20-year-old funding formulas for public schools in an effort to reduce achievement gaps among socioeconomic groups.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) announced the appointment of Aycock and seven other legislative members. Other legislative appointees are: committee co-chairman Senator Florence Shapiro (R-Plano), Senator Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock), Senator Dan Patrick (R-Houston) and Senator Royce West (D-Dallas).

Along with Aycock, Texas House appointees are select committee cochairman Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands), Scott Hochberg (DHouston) and Mike Villarreal (DSan Antonio).

Along with legislative appointees, the committee includes public school community members Dr. Leonard Culwell, superintendent of schools for Garland Independent School District, and Dr. Richard Middleton, superintendent of schools for North East Independent School District in San Antonio.

Dr. Harrison Keller, vice provost for Higher Education Policy and Research, and Houston resident Larry Kellner, president of private investment firm Emerald Creek and former chief executive officer of Continental Airlines, will represent the business community.

During the Texas Legislature’s 2009 session, the Select Committee was established to conduct a comprehensive review of funding formulas under the public school finance system. The committee’s findings during the legislative interim period will provide the foundation for funding decisions made during the 2011 session.