What a gut punch!

[MarkECannon]

This isn’t something we don’t know already. It’s a culture issue. Texans are willing to be taxed more to support their schools, academically and athletically.



I’ve posted this before but one of my sons called me to tell me about this after taking a tour of Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas. Its capacity is 18,000. It is the fifth largest high school stadium in Texas but the largest for a single high school.

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[gatorman001]

Will disagree on the academic standing of the Texas high school system versus Florida, in as far as biggest bang for the buck. There are a number of rating systems available, most have Florida in or around top 10 nationally, while Texas comes in typically around top 20 to top 30. Secondly Texas has the added benefit of having vast amounts of oil money available, to make financial projects like sports facilities viable. Ill admit however that putting fannies in seats is paramount, if you're going to build facilities like this!

 

[MarkECannon]

No argument that Florida does get more for money spent per pupil. Florida spends $12,415 where Texas spends $14,257 per pupil. Florida expenditures are equivalent to 2.29% of taxpayers income where Texas expenditures are equivalent to 3.89% of taxpayers income.

U.S. Public Education Spending Statistics [2025]: per Pupil + Total

Find out how much the U.S. spends on public education and how the costs break down per student, by state and by level of government.

educationdata.org

There was a discussion on Josh’s board about how some of these Texas facilities are paid for. Yes, as you pointed out Gatorman, the oil money certainly can cover much of it. Some districts pay local taxes that are specifically for public school facilities.

 

[gatorman001]

No argument that Florida does get more for money spent per pupil. Florida spends $12,415 where Texas spends $14,257 per pupil. Florida expenditures are equivalent to 2.29% of taxpayers income where Texas expenditures are equivalent to 3.89% of taxpayers income.

U.S. Public Education Spending Statistics [2025]: per Pupil + Total

Find out how much the U.S. spends on public education and how the costs break down per student, by state and by level of government.

educationdata.org

There was a discussion on Josh’s board about how some of these Texas facilities are paid for. Yes, as you pointed out Gatorman, the oil money certainly can cover much of it. Some districts pay local taxes that are specifically for public school facilities.

To me the Georgia model in as far as funding goes, is probably a better model to attempt mirror than that of Texas. Just way too many dynamics in Texas, that Florida could never attempt to mirror.

Yeah, I see Josh decided to go back to a fee based website......(good luck with that), guy to me just has no ability to read the room.

Sarasota was the surprise team coming out of Districts for boys Weightlifting (did you see that?). State meet finished up this weekend, I want to say Venice dominated from a individual standpoint, particularly at the heavier weight classes,,,from a local basis. Manatee had 4 guys at the heavier weight classes at state only 3 figured in for scoring,,( 2 seniors and 1 junior - Dangler the MLB)

 

[MarkECannon]

No I’ll check that out. Was very proud of Sarasota’s boys basketball showing. The fans as much as the team. The team was out matched from the beginning to the end of their semifinal. The Sailor students were well represented. The Sailor cheerleaders had one of the best halftime performances. There was even a drum corps supporting. Happy to hear about the Sailor weightlifting!

 

[gatorman001]

No I’ll check that out. Was very proud of Sarasota’s boys basketball showing. The fans as much as the team. The team was out matched from the beginning to the end of their semifinal. The Sailor students were well represented. The Sailor cheerleaders had one of the best halftime performances. There was even a drum corps supporting. Happy to hear about the Sailor weightlifting!

They were outclassed in the semi-final, and then Windemere got outclassed by Columbus in Final. Columbus by the way, won the national tourney this past week, making them The best high school basketball team in the country!