Religious Leaders Unite for Public Education
Faith leaders from across Texas gathered at First Baptist Church in Austin on March 4 before heading to the Texas Capitol. Their shared mission is to advocate for public schools and the children they serve. The event, part of the Pastors for Texas Children Advocacy Summit, brought together more than four dozen public education supporters.
John Ogletree, founding pastor of First Metropolitan Church in Houston, shared his experience in school advocacy. Despite losing his seat on the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District board after a contentious election, he remains committed to the cause. “I may not be in the seat, but I’m still in the fight,” Ogletree declared.
Concerns Over Attacks on Public Education
Speakers at the summit warned of a coordinated effort to weaken public schools. Co-founder of Friends of Texas Public Schools, Leslie Milder, described it as “powerful, well-funded, and with a death grip on some members of the state legislature.” However, she urged advocates to counter opposition with love rather than bitterness.
Jim Chadwell, a retired superintendent, echoed this sentiment. Go to people in love. Go to people in truth,” he said. Representative Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston), who successfully defended his pro-public school stance in the Republican primary, reinforced the idea that education should be a unifying issue, not a divisive one.
Opposition to Voucher-Style Programs
At the heart of the advocacy summit was opposition to school vouchers and education savings accounts (ESAs). Governor Greg Abbott has made ESAs a top legislative priority, arguing they provide parents with school choice. Recently, he announced that 75 House members support HB 3, which would create an ESA program.
However, Charles Foster Johnson, executive director of Pastors for Texas Children, rebutted Abbott’s claims. “It’s not a done deal,” he insisted, emphasizing that strong public opposition could still sway lawmakers.
A Call to Action for Public School Advocates
Johnson and other speakers encouraged attendees to continue their advocacy, stressing that love for children means seeking the common good. Faith leaders are determined to block HB 3, believing that public funds should stay in public schools. As the Texas Legislature debates the bill, the fight for public education in Texas remains intense.
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‘Love’ drew public school advocates to Austin
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
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