An open letter to Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, and Speaker Burrows

Dear Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, and Speaker Burrows,

I am writing to you today not just as a public school educator but as someone who has dedicated my life to the students of Texas—to their growth, success, and future. Every day, I walk into my classroom and see children full of potential, eager to learn, and deserving of every opportunity a strong education can provide. Yet, Senate Bill 2 (SB2) threatens to strip them of those opportunities.

I cannot remain silent while the foundation of public education is dismantled before my eyes. I cannot stand by while the futures of my students—many of whom already face unimaginable barriers—are placed at even greater risk. Public education is more than just a system; it is a promise to every child that no matter their background, zip code, or financial status, they have the right to a quality education. SB2 betrays that promise. It diverts critical funding away from the schools that serve the majority of Texas children, leaving behind those who need support the most.

As someone who has seen firsthand the struggles our schools already face—underfunded programs, overburdened teachers, and students who don’t have the resources they need to thrive—I am deeply troubled by the consequences SB2 will have. This bill does not create choice; it creates division. It does not support students; it abandons them. It does not strengthen education; it weakens it beyond repair.

I implore you to consider the real impact of this legislation—not in abstract political terms, but in the lives of the children who will suffer because of it. Every student in Texas deserves better. Every teacher in Texas deserves better. And every parent in Texas deserves to know that their child’s education is not being sold off to private interests at the expense of the greater good.

SB2 is not just another piece of legislation—it is a direct attack on public education, the students who rely on it, and the teachers who have dedicated their lives to it. It proposes to strip taxpayer dollars from already underfunded public schools and funnel them into Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). This privatized voucher system is a political experiment rather than a real solution. Proponents claim that SB2 expands school choice, but the truth is far more troubling: it will widen the achievement gap, siphon resources from public schools, and further disadvantage the very students who need support the most—low-income children, rural communities and those with disabilities.

I have seen firsthand what happens when public schools are forced to operate with inadequate funding. I have watched classrooms grow overcrowded because there is no budget for additional teachers. I have seen students and teachers struggle without access to mental health services, special education support, or even basic instructional materials. These are not hypothetical consequences. We are already facing this reality, and SB2 will only worsen it.

The damage will not stop at the students. SB2 will devastate teacher retention in a state already failing its educators. Every year, Texas teachers leave the profession at alarming rates, driven out by low wages, excessive workloads, and toxic working conditions created by underfunded schools and unsupportive leadership. Instead of addressing these systemic issues, SB2 further guts public school funding, making recruiting and retaining the qualified teachers our students deserve even harder.

This is not about choice. True choice means every school is funded, every teacher is supported, and every student—regardless of income, ability, or zip code—has access to a high-quality education. SB2 does not provide that. It abandons public schools, teachers, and the vast majority of Texas students in favor of privatization with no oversight or accountability.

Public education is the foundation of our communities, the backbone of our economy, and the future of this state. SB2 threatens to dismantle it. I refuse to stay silent while my students, my colleagues, and my profession are put on the chopping block.

If Texas truly values its students, we must stop dismantling public education and start investing in it. The decisions made today will shape every child’s future in this state. Instead of defunding our public schools and abandoning the students who rely on them, we should fight to strengthen them.

Rather than passing harmful legislation that weakens public education, deepens inequality, and accelerates teacher shortages, I urge you to prioritize policies that actually support students and educators, including:

Fully funding public schools means every student can access a high-quality education regardless of where they live.

Raising teacher salaries and reducing class sizes to improve teacher retention and ensure students receive the individualized attention they need.

Expanding mental health resources and special education services so that all students, especially those with additional needs, receive the support necessary to thrive.

Holding every institution that receives public funds accountable to the same rigorous academic and financial standards as public schools.

Public education is not a partisan issue. It is the backbone of our society, the foundation of opportunity, and the key to our state’s future. Texas students deserve better than a system prioritizing profit and privilege over equity and excellence.

Our students are not bargaining chips in a political game. Their education, their future, and the future of Texas hinge on the decisions you make right now. Every choice you make will either strengthen or dismantle the foundation of public education in this state.

Do not sacrifice the future of Texas for short-term political gains. Reject SB2 and choose to invest in the success of every child, every teacher, and every public school in this state.

I urge you to do what is right for Texas students and oppose SB2.

Sincerely,

Dr. Matthew Short

Texas Public Educator