Chapter 49 Recapture
The state of Texas has some very unique aspects when it comes to school finance.
Chapter 49 Recapture is often referred to as the Robin Hood plan. It is a part of the current school finance system outlined in the Texas Education Code that takes local tax money from property-wealthy districts and redistributes those funds to property-poor districts in an attempt to ensure equitable funding for all public school students.
When school districts in Texas exceed a certain wealth per student threshold, they are required to share a portion of their local property tax revenue with other districts. Allen ISD is considered a Chapter 49 or Robin Hood district. Again, this refers to a district being property wealthy; it does not make a district wealthy.
In or out?
Chapter 49 Recapture in Allen ISD
Adopted 23-24 budget includes a projected recapture payment of the $7.3 million. For the 2023-24 school year, Allen ISD projects a Chapter 49 (Robin Hood) Recapture payment of $7,296,716. You read that right, the district is projected to surrender nearly $7.3 million of the money collected from local taxpayers. This is money taken from local tax collections that is no longer available for Allen ISD students and will instead be used by the state to fund other districts.
A significant number of public schools in Texas are subject to Chapter 49 recapture and are faced each year with costs that exceed revenues.
Let's localize it!
Now you know where funding comes from and a little bit about how some money has to be used, but let’s dig deeper! Take a closer look at Allen ISD’s budget, funding sources, and expenses.