It is a hard time to be a teacher in Texas – that is the story Austin ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year Kari Johnston is sharing. She loves her job but admits she's "overburdened and underpaid."
"We live paycheck to paycheck, and so there's not, as far as vacations or doing extra things, that's just not a possibility for us," Johnston said.
Several Central Texas school districts like Thrall, Hutto and Del Valle ISD are calling for more funding for public schools.
Since 2019, the standard allocation for educating a student is $6,160 annually. One school finance bill – House Bill 100 – would increase the amount of money schools get per student by $140 over two years. It passed the House last week and goes to the Senate next.