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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming MESQUITE ISD agenda. There are 8 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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District Endorsing Austin Lobbying Agenda
The board is voting to adopt the legislative priorities of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and send a delegate to its assembly. This commits local tax dollars and district influence to a lobby group that often works against property tax relief and parental rights in Austin.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board of Trustees (contact info on the district website): ‘I demand Item VI.C be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve to know if you stand with them or with Austin lobbyists.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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Vote to Waive State-Mandated Armed Security
The board is voting for a “Good Cause Exemption” to opt out of the state law requiring an armed security officer on every campus. This action, placed on the consent agenda, lowers the security standard mandated by the Texas Legislature for student safety.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board of Trustees (contact info on the district website): ‘Item VI.D, the exemption from state campus security law, must be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a full public discussion and a recorded vote. Why is the district opting out of this safety requirement?’
💰 Impact: Reduced Campus Security
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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Budget Amendment Vote Lacks Detail
The board is voting to approve an amended budget for the current fiscal year. Without the details of the amendment, it’s impossible to know if this action increases spending, shifts funds to controversial programs, or raids reserve funds.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached to Item VII.F.3 in the Official Agenda (linked above) to see the proposed budget changes. Email the board to demand a clear explanation for why this amendment is necessary.
💰 Impact: Potential Spending Increase
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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District Hires Communications Consultant
The district is hiring Caelen Communications for unspecified “consulting services.” Taxpayers should be wary of contracts with communications firms, which are often hired to promote the district’s agenda, such as tax increases or bond packages, using public funds.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board of Trustees (contact info on the district website): ‘Regarding Item VI.O, what is the cost and scope of the contract with Caelen Communications? Taxpayer money should not be used for PR campaigns to sell policies back to the public.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded PR
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Agreement Expands Student Data Sharing
The district is entering a data-sharing agreement with the “Texas Education Exchange” to access a student performance dashboard. This expands the collection and analysis of student data by third-party entities, often with little direct parental oversight or clear opt-out procedures.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board of Trustees (contact info on the district website): ‘Regarding Item VI.I, what specific student data is shared with the Texas Education Exchange, who has access to it, and how can parents opt their children out? Please publish the full data-sharing agreement.’
💰 Impact: Student Data Harvesting
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
The board is approving an unspecified list of “Vendors on Demand.” This item lacks transparency, potentially bundling routine purchases with contracts for controversial consultants or services without individual review.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached to Item VI.N in the Official Agenda (linked above) to review the full vendor list for any controversial consultants or large, unexplained expenditures.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Spending
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
The board is approving an “Early Childhood Education Agreement” without providing the text of the agreement or the partner organization. These agreements can sometimes introduce specific curricula or data-sharing requirements without parental oversight.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached to Item VI.H in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm the terms of this agreement and what curriculum or data sharing it mandates.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Curriculum/Data Sharing
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Win (LEVEL 6) |
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District Holds Public Hearing on Efficiency Audit
The board is conducting a public hearing and review of a district efficiency audit. This is a positive step towards fiscal transparency, giving taxpayers a chance to see where their money is going and how operations could be improved.
How to Secure It
SHOW UP AND SUPPORT: Attend the meeting to thank the board for conducting this efficiency audit. Ask them to commit to implementing the cost-saving recommendations to provide property tax relief.
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