Senator Dan Patrick Seeks Solution to CFISD's  Lack of State Funding

June 10, 2009 — An action item regarding the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD's 20% Optional Homestead Exemption (OHE) was anticipated to be placed on the June 15, 2009 meeting agenda for the CFISD Board of Trustees. However, the Board will not take action on the OHE at this meeting in order to allow State Sen. Dan Patrick the opportunity to address the state's inequitable funding of CFISD with officials in Austin.

In an email to Cy-Fair community members, Sen. Patrick stated that he was working every hour and talking to everyone in authority he could in Austin, and in the district, to find a positive solution for both the district and the taxpayers. 

"I have heard from both sides on this issue. Homeowners do not want to lose the exemption. Those who support public education do not want any cuts in the district. Many people, homeowners who have children in the district, or teachers who live in the district and will see any raise virtually wiped out by increased property taxes, are caught in the middle. The question people ask is why is this happening, " stated Sen. Patrick in his email to taxpayers.

 "Cy-Fair has until the end of the month before making a decision. I am dedicated to working with all of the stakeholders to resolve this situation now so that neither the district or the homeowners are punished for what everyone agrees is a flawed formula from 2005," he said.

The CFISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at a special-called meeting on June 25, 2009.