West Texas Rep. Wes Virdell Faces Backlash After Public Education Funding Remarks

A West Texas lawmaker is facing criticism this week after sharing — and then deleting — comments on social media that appeared to downplay concerns from constituents about the state's public education budget.

The Controversy

Representative Wes Virdell (R-Brady), who represents a rural district in West Texas, sparked controversy after posting a message on X (formerly Twitter) suggesting frustration with complaints about increased funding for public schools.

The post, which was later deleted, didn’t sit well with educators, parents, and community members, many of whom had been advocating for increased support for public schools and better teacher pay.

Virdell had recently voted in favor of Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2, part of a broader school finance package currently making its way through the Texas Legislature. House Bill 2 proposes nearly $8 billion in new funding for public education, including a mandate that 40% of those funds go directly to teacher pay increases.

The Response

But instead of celebrating the move, many in education circles say the bill doesn’t go far enough to address long-term funding gaps and rural staffing shortages — concerns that appear to have frustrated the Representative.

“I thought, there is no way they could complain about an $8 billion increase, and yet here we are,” Virdell added in a follow-up post. “Lesson learned.”

In additional social media posts, Virdell doubled down on his stance, implying that administrators were being unreasonable in their continued push for more resources — especially when, in his words, “we passed a bill that mandated 40% of the 8 billion go to teacher pay, and then I get complaints that it mandated 40% has to go to teachers.”

Despite his intent, the remarks have been interpreted by many as tone-deaf, especially in smaller, rural districts struggling to recruit and retain teachers.

How Much do Schools Receive Per Student?

House Bill 2, in its current form, also aims to raise the state’s basic allotment — the amount schools receive per student — from $6,160 to $6,555, with future increases tied to local property value growth. It includes additional investments in special education, and aims to overhaul the state’s funding formula.

As of this week, educators across the state continue to press lawmakers for even broader investments, calling the current package a good start — but not enough to fully stabilize Texas public education.

Meanwhile, Virdell has yet to issue a formal apology or clarification regarding his deleted comments.