|
Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming SAN ANTONIO ISD agenda. There are 7 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 10) |
|
District Seeks to Pre-Authorize Future Debt
Buried in the consent agenda, this resolution allows the district to spend cash on capital projects now and pay itself back later with proceeds from “tax-exempt obligations” (debt). This practice obscures the true cost and timing of new debt and is a step toward incurring long-term obligations without upfront voter approval.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the SAISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info). ‘I demand Item 4.F be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and a roll-call vote. This reimbursement scheme is a backdoor to future debt and must be scrutinized in the open.’
💰 Impact: Future Debt (No Voter Approval)
|
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
|
District Lays Groundwork for Tax Hike Election
The board is reviewing a state-mandated “efficiency audit” conducted by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO). This audit is a required first step before a district can call a Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) to raise property taxes above the rate voters can approve without an election.
Response
SHOW UP AND SPEAK UP: Attend the meeting and sign up for public comment. ‘The efficiency audit for a VATRE in Item 3.E signals a tax hike is coming. I urge the board to live within its means and adopt the no-new-revenue rate instead of preparing to ask taxpayers for more.’
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
|
District to Approve Lobby Groups as Training Providers
The board is set to approve a list of “independent sources of instruction” for investment training. This list includes the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO), organizations that lobby the legislature against taxpayer interests. This vote uses district resources to legitimize and financially support these lobby groups.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the SAISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info). ‘I demand Item 4.I be pulled from the Consent Agenda. Remove TASB, TASBO, and TASA from the list of approved trainers. Our district should not use taxpayer resources to support groups that lobby against taxpayers.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
|
District to Review Student “Social Emotional” Data
The board will review “Insights student assessment data” to measure “Social Emotional Readiness.” The district’s goal is to improve scores against a “to be determined” standard, opening the door for subjective, non-academic metrics and data mining of students’ personal attitudes and beliefs.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the SAISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info). ‘Regarding Item 3.A, what specific data is collected on the ‘Insights’ survey, who is the vendor, and what is the ‘to be determined’ standard for Social Emotional Readiness? Parents have a right to know what personal data is being collected on their children.’
💰 Impact: Student Data Mining
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
|
Board Proposes Ceding Authority Over Top Hires
A proposed revision to policy DC(LOCAL) would allow the Board to “waive final authority for employment of contractual personnel in the position of executive director or above” and delegate it to the Superintendent. This reduces direct accountability and transparency for the hiring of the district’s highest-paid executives.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the SAISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info). ‘I demand the policy changes in Item 4.C be discussed separately, specifically the change to DC(LOCAL). The Board must retain its authority over hiring top executives to ensure accountability to taxpayers.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Accountability
|
| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
|
Policy Change Could Weaken Book Challenge Process
Revisions to library policy EFB(LOCAL) state that challenged material shall not be removed “solely because of the ideas expressed” or the “personal background of the library material’s author or… characters.” This subjective language could be used to protect educationally unsuitable or age-inappropriate materials from being removed, undermining parental authority.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the SAISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info). ‘Regarding the EFB(LOCAL) policy change in Item 4.C, the new language creates loopholes to keep inappropriate books on shelves. The standard must be age-appropriateness and educational suitability, not subjective ideas.’
💰 Impact: Bypassing Parents
|
| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
|
Board to Approve Vague “Community Engagement Plan”
The board will vote on a “Community Engagement Plan” for its “New Way Forward” committee, which deals with closing and repurposing schools. The agenda provides no details on the cost, deliverables, or if outside consultants will be hired, creating a risk of taxpayer funds being spent on vague “professional services” with no accountability.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the SAISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info). ‘Regarding Item 3.G, what is the total cost of this ‘Community Engagement Plan,’ will any consultants be hired, and what are the specific, measurable deliverables for the taxpayer?’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Consultant Fees
|
|
|
“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 |