AUSTIN (KXAN) – Many school districts across the state are facing budget deficits and are now having to make difficult decisions. Because there has been no increase in funding since 2019, districts are having to cut programs or close down schools because deficits are too large to manage. This week Eanes Independent School District announced it would be closing Valley View Elementary School at the end of the school year. The district also cut a Spanish immersion program that catered to more than 900 students. "The state of Texas is really making it hard for school districts across the board," said Eanes ISD parent Chandler Hatchett. Some Republicans have been pushing for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) while Democrats are pushing hard against them. Public school districts and Democratic lawmakers argue that public money is best invested into the public school system, and because district funding is based on student attendance, any form of private school stipend would reduce their resources. “We are pretty much stuck.” Most Central Texas school districts are facing budget shortfalls "We have a school funding emergency in the state," said Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. Talarico said this year the focus will again rest on getting Texas districts the money they need, but will ESAs or vouchers be tied to any funding bills? "I think we learned our lesson last time when we shot down vouchers and [Gov.] Greg Abbott sabotaged school funding as retaliation," Talarico said. "This time we want to separate the two so that our students and teachers are going to get the resources they need." Republican Sen. Brandon Creighton, who helped lead the charge with ESAs last session, told KXAN last year, that they still plan to get both ESAs and school funding done this time around. "We are all fully intentioned to lift up public schools with the funding they need and also provide education opportunities for those that need it most," Creighton said. He said ESAs are about giving parents and students opportunity and choice. "It is what will set our Texas students up to be the most successful in the future," Creighton said.