Legislative Series | Event Date: May 6, 2025
The North Dallas Chamber's Legislative Series brought together key education leaders to examine the intersection between education funding and business success. Jon Dahlander, Chief of Partnerships and Intergovernmental Relations at Dallas ISD, and Liz Morse, Chief Government Affairs and Civic Engagement Officer from Richardson ISD, provided insights on why education funding demands business community attention.
Key Takeaways
Texas’ basic student allotment has remained unchanged since 2019, creating a growing gap between funding levels and actual educational needs
Education funding directly affects business operations through workforce development, property values, and community stability
Underfunded schools struggle to maintain programs that prepare students for careers and higher education
The Fund Schools First initiative represents a business-education partnership advocating for adequate funding
Business engagement in education advocacy is both community investment and economic self-interest
Why Education Funding Matters to Business
The discussion revealed several direct connections between education funding and business operations:
Workforce Development Pipeline - School programs that prepare students for careers or higher education face cuts when funding is constrained, directly affecting the talent pipeline businesses rely on.
Property Values and Location Decisions - School quality significantly influences property values and relocation decisions for both businesses and employees. Underfunded schools make attracting talent more difficult.
Innovation Capacity - Districts with adequate funding can invest in programs that foster creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills, all increasingly essential in today's economy.
Community Stability - Well-funded schools create more stable communities with lower teacher turnover and stronger parent engagement, supporting local business environments.
The Funding Crisis
Since 2019, Texas's basic per-student allotment has remained unchanged while costs for transportation, teacher salaries, and classroom materials have risen substantially. This creates impossible choices for districts.
"When the basic allotment hasn't increased since 2019, but costs for everything have risen substantially, districts are forced to make impossible choices," explained Jon Dahlander. "These choices inevitably affect the quality and scope of educational programs that develop future talent."
Dallas ISD and Richardson ISD, like districts across Texas, face mounting financial pressures as the gap between funding and actual costs widens. The basic allotment has effectively decreased in real terms when adjusted for inflation.
This funding stagnation forces districts to choose between maintaining competitive teacher salaries, investing in technology and innovation, or providing enhanced learning opportunities. All these priorities directly impact the quality of future workforce development.
Fund Schools First Initiative
The Fund Schools First initiative represents a collaborative approach between education stakeholders and business leaders, advocating for increasing base funding to reflect inflation and rising operational costs.
"The business community's support for education funding isn't just about altruism. It's about economic self-interest," noted Liz Morse. "When businesses advocate for adequate school funding, they're investing in their own future workforce and creating communities where employees want to live and work."
The initiative demonstrates a return on investment from adequately funded education systems. Data shows that regions with strong education funding tend to experience stronger economic growth, better workforce retention, and increased business investment.
Moving Forward Together
Education funding isn't just a school issue. It's a business imperative. When businesses engage in education advocacy, they support schools while investing in their future success.
As the Fund Schools First initiative gains momentum, business leaders can influence policy decisions shaping Dallas's educational and economic landscape. By understanding issues, building strategic partnerships, and adding voices to advocacy efforts, businesses help ensure education funding matches the actual needs of schools preparing tomorrow's workforce.
The North Dallas Chamber continues providing platforms for vital conversations between business and education leaders, recognizing that businesses and communities prosper when schools thrive.
Speaker Information & Links
Jon Dahlander
Chief of Partnerships and Intergovernmental Relations, Dallas ISD
Jon leads Dallas ISD's efforts to build strategic partnerships with government entities, businesses, and community organizations. He has over 20 years of experience in education, communications, and policy.
Jon Dahlander on LinkedIn
Liz Morse
Chief Government Affairs and Civic Engagement Officer, Richardson ISD
Liz oversees Richardson ISD's legislative advocacy efforts and community engagement strategies. She previously served as a policy advisor on education issues at the state level.
Liz Morse on LinkedIn
Event Sponsors
Thank you to our event sponsors for making this valuable program possible.
Gold Sponsors
Dallas College | HNTB | Oncor | Spectrum
Silver Sponsors
Children's Health | Polsinelli | The University of Texas at Dallas
Partners
North Texas Commission | North Dallas Chamber of Commerce