Thompson & Horton LLP
T&H TO REPRESENT
MOST DIVERSE GROUP OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH LARGEST STUDENT POPULATION EVER TO FILE SCHOOL FINANCE LAWSUIT
On December 22, 2011, 63 public school districts, collectively educating more than 1.5 million Texas children, filed a lawsuit in Travis County to challenge the constitutionality of the State school finance system. In the history of school finance litigation, no plaintiff group ever has been larger in terms of student enrollment, representing more than one-third of the State's student population. This will also be the most broad and diverse group of school districts ever to jointly challenge the school finance system. The plaintiff group includes the largest and some of the smallest school districts in the State, and many in between. This group represents rural, big town, small town, suburban, urban, fast growth, property poor, property wealthy, and average wealth districts.
This effort will be led by firm partners David Thompson and Philip Fraissinet. "Our Constitution clearly sets out the reason our State provides public education -- to provide a general diffusion of knowledge for all Texas students. Our goal is to benefit all school districts and their students by requiring the Texas Legislature to establish an adequate, rational, and equitable funding system actually tied to the high standards it has set for all students, rather than simply leveling down to fit funds available," said David Thompson. "Our firm is very proud and honored to represent school districts all over Texas in a true statewide effort to improve the funding system for all Texas students."
A more detailed statement may be found here and a copy of the lawsuit may be found here.
news & events
Partner David Hodgins was quoted in the December 21, 2011 edition of FuelFix regarding Texas Rejects Valero Tax Break Bid. A link to the article may be found here. Mr. Hodgins was also quoted in the December 22, 2011 edition of My San Antonio regarding the same issue. A link to the article may be found here.
Partner David Thompson was quoted in the November 29, 2011 edition of The Lake Houston Observer regarding school finance litigation. A link to the article may be found here.
Upcoming Speeches
Partners David Hodgins, Chris Borreca, and Janet Horton will be speaking at TCASE Great Ideas Convention January 17-19, 2012 in Austin, TX on The Nuts & Bolts of LRE and Placement Under the IDEA, The IDEA is Up for Reauthorization AGAIN?, and Getting Prepared for Service Animals in the Public Schools.
Partner Janet Horton will be speaking at Texas School Administrators' Legal Digest Conference on Special Education April 3, 2012 in San Antonio, TX and April 11, 2012 in Arlington, TX on Special Education Evaluations: The Legal Issues.