Texas Public Policy Foundation

Subscribe to our FREE daily email

📍 Drive to PLAINS ISD Office   📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 to Calendar
📄 View Official Agenda
Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming PLAINS ISD agenda. There are 5 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9)
Tax Rate Proposed Without Key Context
📅 2026-08-26
The board is proposing a tax rate of $0.9817 but has not published the ‘no-new-revenue’ rate for comparison. Without this crucial piece of information, taxpayers cannot know if this new rate will increase their property tax bills due to rising appraisal values.
Response

DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Plains ISD board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info) and ask: ‘What is the no-new-revenue rate, and how does the proposed rate of $0.9817 compare? Please vote to adopt the no-new-revenue rate.’

💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8)
Requires Verification

Vague Title — Manual Review Required
📅 2026-08-26
The board is set to adopt the entire budget for the 2026-2027 school year, but the proposed budget document is not attached to the public agenda. This prevents taxpayers from reviewing spending priorities, new hires, or potential waste before the final vote.
Response

INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm the contents of the proposed budget. Demand the board postpone the vote if the full document isn’t made public with adequate time for review.

💰 Impact: Undisclosed
🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6)
Undisclosed Mid-Year Budget Changes
📅 2026-08-26
The board plans to amend the current 2025-2026 budget without providing any public documents detailing the changes. This lack of transparency allows for last-minute spending shifts that escape the public scrutiny applied to the annual budget adoption.
Response

DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Plains ISD board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding Item IX.E, please publish the proposed budget amendment for public review before any vote is taken.’

💰 Impact: Undisclosed
🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5)
Insurance Contract Supports TASB-Affiliated Group
📅 2026-08-26
The district plans to approve its insurance contract with PCAT, a risk pool created by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). This directs taxpayer funds into the ecosystem of an organization that actively lobbies against taxpayer interests, such as property tax relief and parental rights, at the state level.
Response

DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Plains ISD board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Please pull Item IX.C for a separate vote and explore insurance options from providers not affiliated with lobbying organizations.’

💰 Impact: Supports Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
ALERT (LEVEL 4)
Requires Verification

Vague Title — Manual Review Required
📅 2026-08-26
The board is voting to approve a ‘Security Audit Survey’ without providing the survey or any related documents for public review. This vague item could conceal costly contracts or data-sharing agreements that impact student privacy and district finances.
Response

INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm the details of the Security Audit Survey. Ask the board to clarify the scope and cost before the vote.

💰 Impact: Undisclosed
District Info
Address 811 COWBOY WAY, PLAINS, TX 79355
“Freedom, Prosperity &
Opportunity”
TPPF is a conservative think tank whose mission is to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise in Texas and the nation.

Contribute to the mission

Powered by Sentinel Engine