david i. backer
@schooldaves.bsky.social
associate prof of education policy. former high school teacher. education, ideology, policy, finance, climate, socialism. he/him. https://linktr.ee/davidibacker
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As Public As Possible: Radical Finance for America's Public Schools | David Backer
Education expert David I. Backer argues for radically expanding the "public" in public schools. Discover a concrete set of policies to provide a truly public education for all, regardless of wealth an...
www.aspublicaspossiblebook.com
my book is officially out! you can get it here! www.aspublicaspossiblebook.com
The thing that’s so cool about this podcast project is that Derek is addressing his neighbors across the ideological spectrum to untangle the specific budget crisis in their district and figure out what to do about it. There’s basically nothing else out there engaging with school finance like that.
The thing I’ve been thinking about since we recorded this last month is something @schooldaves.bsky.social says toward the end:
“I think school finance is the weak link in the chain of American racial capitalism.”
“I think school finance is the weak link in the chain of American racial capitalism.”
@derekgottliebphd.com podcast education philosopher king, has a pod called The Referenda (great name) and he had me and Celina Su on to talk public education and budgeting. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
February 15, 2026 at 2:28 PM
The thing that’s so cool about this podcast project is that Derek is addressing his neighbors across the ideological spectrum to untangle the specific budget crisis in their district and figure out what to do about it. There’s basically nothing else out there engaging with school finance like that.
Reposted by david i. backer
The thing I’ve been thinking about since we recorded this last month is something @schooldaves.bsky.social says toward the end:
“I think school finance is the weak link in the chain of American racial capitalism.”
“I think school finance is the weak link in the chain of American racial capitalism.”
@derekgottliebphd.com podcast education philosopher king, has a pod called The Referenda (great name) and he had me and Celina Su on to talk public education and budgeting. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
46. Public Budgeting for Public Education
Podcast Episode · The Referenda · 02/12/2026 · 1h 6m
podcasts.apple.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:30 PM
The thing I’ve been thinking about since we recorded this last month is something @schooldaves.bsky.social says toward the end:
“I think school finance is the weak link in the chain of American racial capitalism.”
“I think school finance is the weak link in the chain of American racial capitalism.”
“Epstein’s victims experienced the rule of master and servant not just as economic but sexual violence. They were the first to name and resist our emergent political order.” www.equator.org/articles/eps...
Epstein Family Values • EQUATOR
The billionaire patriarchs of the American far-right want to rule an economy of masters and servants
www.equator.org
February 14, 2026 at 7:11 PM
“Epstein’s victims experienced the rule of master and servant not just as economic but sexual violence. They were the first to name and resist our emergent political order.” www.equator.org/articles/eps...
@derekgottliebphd.com podcast education philosopher king, has a pod called The Referenda (great name) and he had me and Celina Su on to talk public education and budgeting. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
46. Public Budgeting for Public Education
Podcast Episode · The Referenda · 02/12/2026 · 1h 6m
podcasts.apple.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:17 PM
@derekgottliebphd.com podcast education philosopher king, has a pod called The Referenda (great name) and he had me and Celina Su on to talk public education and budgeting. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
This looks great, and super relevant to where I work in NJ www.upress.umn.edu/978151791368...
Expelling Public Schools
Exploring the role of identitarian politics in the privatization of Newark’s public school system In Expelling Public Schools, John Arena explores the mo...
www.upress.umn.edu
February 14, 2026 at 12:43 PM
This looks great, and super relevant to where I work in NJ www.upress.umn.edu/978151791368...
Tfw when you’re a guest after @davidharvey.org
February 13, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Tfw when you’re a guest after @davidharvey.org
Interviewed by the one and only Doug Henwood!
fresh audio product:
• Stacy Horn @stacyhorn.bsky.social on the damage mortgage fraud did to East New York
• David Backer @schooldaves.bsky.social on how we finance schools and how we could do better
www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Radio.html#S...
• Stacy Horn @stacyhorn.bsky.social on the damage mortgage fraud did to East New York
• David Backer @schooldaves.bsky.social on how we finance schools and how we could do better
www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Radio.html#S...
February 12, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Interviewed by the one and only Doug Henwood!
Reposted by david i. backer
fresh audio product:
• Stacy Horn @stacyhorn.bsky.social on the damage mortgage fraud did to East New York
• David Backer @schooldaves.bsky.social on how we finance schools and how we could do better
www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Radio.html#S...
• Stacy Horn @stacyhorn.bsky.social on the damage mortgage fraud did to East New York
• David Backer @schooldaves.bsky.social on how we finance schools and how we could do better
www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Radio.html#S...
February 12, 2026 at 11:10 PM
fresh audio product:
• Stacy Horn @stacyhorn.bsky.social on the damage mortgage fraud did to East New York
• David Backer @schooldaves.bsky.social on how we finance schools and how we could do better
www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Radio.html#S...
• Stacy Horn @stacyhorn.bsky.social on the damage mortgage fraud did to East New York
• David Backer @schooldaves.bsky.social on how we finance schools and how we could do better
www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Radio.html#S...
School districts across the country have budget crises. The easy explanation is that enrollments are declining and federal relief from the pandemic stopped. But underneath those recent developments are deeper dynamics I see when taking requests to analyze them: property values, debt, pensions, eg.
February 12, 2026 at 1:01 PM
School districts across the country have budget crises. The easy explanation is that enrollments are declining and federal relief from the pandemic stopped. But underneath those recent developments are deeper dynamics I see when taking requests to analyze them: property values, debt, pensions, eg.
Reposted by david i. backer
“…it’s not just the poor who pay more. It’s not just that. It’s actually that they also get less somehow.”
@schooldaves.bsky.social
#PublicSchool
HT
@moneyontheleft.bsky.social
@jabaribrisport.bsky.social
@lindseyboylan.bsky.social
@delgadoforny.bsky.social
@indiab.bsky.social
@nharnie.bsky.social
@schooldaves.bsky.social
#PublicSchool
HT
@moneyontheleft.bsky.social
@jabaribrisport.bsky.social
@lindseyboylan.bsky.social
@delgadoforny.bsky.social
@indiab.bsky.social
@nharnie.bsky.social
February 10, 2026 at 1:48 PM
“…it’s not just the poor who pay more. It’s not just that. It’s actually that they also get less somehow.”
@schooldaves.bsky.social
#PublicSchool
HT
@moneyontheleft.bsky.social
@jabaribrisport.bsky.social
@lindseyboylan.bsky.social
@delgadoforny.bsky.social
@indiab.bsky.social
@nharnie.bsky.social
@schooldaves.bsky.social
#PublicSchool
HT
@moneyontheleft.bsky.social
@jabaribrisport.bsky.social
@lindseyboylan.bsky.social
@delgadoforny.bsky.social
@indiab.bsky.social
@nharnie.bsky.social
The first I’m hearing of a century bond (paid back in full after 100 years) sold by tech companies. Google just did it in England. Crazy. I know there was a century bond in DC for a new water system.
February 9, 2026 at 5:46 PM
The first I’m hearing of a century bond (paid back in full after 100 years) sold by tech companies. Google just did it in England. Crazy. I know there was a century bond in DC for a new water system.
This one blew up and I didn’t even have the link yet. Here’s the post: buttondown.com/davidibacker...
February 9, 2026 at 3:37 PM
This one blew up and I didn’t even have the link yet. Here’s the post: buttondown.com/davidibacker...
Reposted by david i. backer
Says that federal detention facilities are “nicer than some of the elementary schools” that educate the kids he’s elected to represent, and says that to help support his case that it’s okay to detain five year olds. Just fully lobotomized.
Gonzales on Liam Ramos and his family: "They're not gonna qualify for asylum. So what do you do with all the people that go through the process and do not qualify for asylum? You deport them. I understand that 5-year-old and it breaks my heart. I also think, what about that 5-year-old US citizen?"
February 8, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Says that federal detention facilities are “nicer than some of the elementary schools” that educate the kids he’s elected to represent, and says that to help support his case that it’s okay to detain five year olds. Just fully lobotomized.
Reposted by david i. backer
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office calculates the cost of efforts to fire civil rights staff and questions the department's ability to enforce federal civil rights laws.
The Education Department's efforts to fire staff cost over $28 million, watchdog says
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office calculates the cost of efforts to fire civil rights staff and questions the department's ability to enforce federal civil rights laws.
n.pr
February 8, 2026 at 3:39 PM
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office calculates the cost of efforts to fire civil rights staff and questions the department's ability to enforce federal civil rights laws.
Reposted by david i. backer
This is bleak: Jes Staley, currently CEO of Barclays, reassuring Epstein that popular revolt against financial elites is unlikely because capitalism and pop culture have defanged social movements, leaving people more invested in consumption than justice.
February 6, 2026 at 10:23 PM
This is bleak: Jes Staley, currently CEO of Barclays, reassuring Epstein that popular revolt against financial elites is unlikely because capitalism and pop culture have defanged social movements, leaving people more invested in consumption than justice.
Reposted by david i. backer
After I finish your book, perhaps we can talk more!
February 6, 2026 at 1:51 PM
After I finish your book, perhaps we can talk more!
Spent yesterday morning going through the Epstein files looking for municipal finance stuff. Indeed, I found some stuff. Will send out through my newsletter Monday.
February 6, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Spent yesterday morning going through the Epstein files looking for municipal finance stuff. Indeed, I found some stuff. Will send out through my newsletter Monday.
Reposted by david i. backer
I can't answer, but I'm reading your book. I'm the Decatur County Dem. Party Chair in KS. Our schools are in disrepair. We've tried funding the improvements the traditional way, but it was voted down twice. It's time to think outside of the box. Your book was recommended to me by Mark Schaukowitch.
February 6, 2026 at 7:08 AM
I can't answer, but I'm reading your book. I'm the Decatur County Dem. Party Chair in KS. Our schools are in disrepair. We've tried funding the improvements the traditional way, but it was voted down twice. It's time to think outside of the box. Your book was recommended to me by Mark Schaukowitch.
So I gave a lecture to the business school at the Uni of Essex yesterday, and during my talk there was a rally to protest massive cuts to the budget there. I got curious so I poked around financial statements and I have a couple questions, maybe ppl here can answer:
February 5, 2026 at 2:50 PM
So I gave a lecture to the business school at the Uni of Essex yesterday, and during my talk there was a rally to protest massive cuts to the budget there. I got curious so I poked around financial statements and I have a couple questions, maybe ppl here can answer:
I know it was taken over by our toxic ruling class but still kinda amazing that 10k ppl follow me on TikTok to hear about school finance
February 4, 2026 at 4:25 PM
I know it was taken over by our toxic ruling class but still kinda amazing that 10k ppl follow me on TikTok to hear about school finance
For my UK colleagues and comrades, this’ll start in a couple hours. Come listen to me talk about my book!
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 AM
For my UK colleagues and comrades, this’ll start in a couple hours. Come listen to me talk about my book!
Reposted by david i. backer
40 Iowans showed up on Zoom on a Monday night to dig into school finance docs, bonds, & audits w/ @schooldaves.bsky.social. That's 40 people asking questions about the political economy that underfunds public schools & demands they borrow from private markets.
That's 40 people demanding better.
That's 40 people demanding better.
If you're an Iowan who wants a better understanding of school finance and how to "fight wonky" to get the public schools we deserve. Join Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement & @schooldaves.bsky.social for a virtual meetup to do just that!
Register @ iowacci.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/even...
Register @ iowacci.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/even...
February 3, 2026 at 1:59 PM
40 Iowans showed up on Zoom on a Monday night to dig into school finance docs, bonds, & audits w/ @schooldaves.bsky.social. That's 40 people asking questions about the political economy that underfunds public schools & demands they borrow from private markets.
That's 40 people demanding better.
That's 40 people demanding better.
Tomorrow at 14:00 GMT (9AM EST) I’ll be giving a lecture online for the University of Essex’s EBS Management and Marketing Seminar. DM me if you want to join!
February 3, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Tomorrow at 14:00 GMT (9AM EST) I’ll be giving a lecture online for the University of Essex’s EBS Management and Marketing Seminar. DM me if you want to join!
Reposted by david i. backer
Very excited to share an excerpt I illustrated about a measure called the super-expropriation index from David I. Backer’s new book, “As Public As Possible: Radical Finance For America’s Public Schools.” If you’re interested in rebuilding school finance policy to serve the public read his book now!
This is *extremely* cool: @soumyadhulekar.bsky.social illustrated a section of my book on super-expropriation and school finance. www.soumyadhulekar.com/the-super-ex...
The Super-Expropriation Index — SOUMYA DHULEKAR
www.soumyadhulekar.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Very excited to share an excerpt I illustrated about a measure called the super-expropriation index from David I. Backer’s new book, “As Public As Possible: Radical Finance For America’s Public Schools.” If you’re interested in rebuilding school finance policy to serve the public read his book now!
This is *extremely* cool: @soumyadhulekar.bsky.social illustrated a section of my book on super-expropriation and school finance. www.soumyadhulekar.com/the-super-ex...
The Super-Expropriation Index — SOUMYA DHULEKAR
www.soumyadhulekar.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:19 PM
This is *extremely* cool: @soumyadhulekar.bsky.social illustrated a section of my book on super-expropriation and school finance. www.soumyadhulekar.com/the-super-ex...