Branch Speaks to Robin Hood District Superintendents January 2008 Representative Branch served as the keynote speaker at the mid-winter meeting of the Texas School Coalition, an organization representing property wealthy school districts that submit local property tax revenue for redistribution to other areas of the state under the Robin Hood school funding system. Rep. Branch was introduced by TX School Coalition President, Dr. Doug Otto, Superintendnet of Plano ISD.  The 2006 school finance reforms resulted in a reduction of $730 million in recapture payments from local school districts to the state.

Rep. Branch, Eanes ISD (Austin, TX) Superintendent, Dr. Nola Wellman, and Dr. Cathy Bryce, of Highland Park ISD, discuss how to futher reduce recapture payments by local districts. As a result of 2006 Special Session, Dallas ISD avoided Chapter 41 status and Highland Park ISD recapture was reduced by over $23 million.