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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming SOMERSET ISD agenda. There are 5 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 10) |
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Decision Point: Board to Set 2026 Property Tax Rate
The board will vote on the property tax rate for the upcoming year, considering both the ‘No-New-Revenue’ rate and the higher ‘Voter-Approval’ rate. This is the single most important vote determining the size of your property tax bill. A vote for anything above the No-New-Revenue rate is a tax increase on homeowners, even if the rate itself goes down.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: Show up to the meeting and sign up for public comment on Item VII.F. Email the board (see district website for contact info): ‘I urge you to protect homeowners and adopt the No-New-Revenue tax rate for 2026.’
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Dues Hidden on Consent Agenda
Somerset ISD is set to approve a contract with the TASB Risk Management Fund. TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) is one of the largest lobbying organizations in Austin, often working against parental rights and fiscal responsibility. This payment, hidden on the consent agenda, uses local tax dollars to fund an entity that lobbies against taxpayer interests.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Somerset ISD board (see district website for contact info). ‘I demand Consent Item VI.H be pulled for a separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve to know why we are funding TASB’s lobbying efforts.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Fees
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Rubber-Stamping Policy Updates from Austin Lobby Group
The board plans to approve two policy updates, DPB (LOCAL) and other revisions, provided by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). By adopting policies drafted by an outside lobbying group without public discussion, the board outsources its local decision-making. These updates are bundled on the consent agenda to avoid scrutiny.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Somerset ISD board (see district website for contact info). ‘Pull items VI.J and VI.K from the consent agenda. The public deserves a full presentation on what policy changes TASB is pushing on our district before any vote.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Local Control
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Secret Changes to ‘District of Innovation’ Plan
The board is voting to amend its ‘District of Innovation’ (DOI) plan, which allows the district to claim exemptions from state education laws. The proposed changes are not included in the agenda, preventing public review before the vote. This item is buried in the consent agenda, avoiding open discussion.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Contact the Somerset ISD board (see district website for contact info). ‘Regarding Item VI.E, please publish the proposed amendments to the DOI plan online immediately so the public can review them before the vote.’
💰 Impact: Bypassing State Law
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Federal Grant Funds Used for Curriculum Purchase
The district plans to use federal Perkins grant funds to purchase iCEV CTE curriculum. While CTE is valuable, federal grants often come with data-sharing mandates or other strings attached that can create long-term obligations for local taxpayers after the grant money is gone. This purchase is on the consent agenda, avoiding public discussion of the grant’s terms.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Somerset ISD board (see district website for contact info). ‘Regarding Item VI.O, what are the ongoing data-sharing and compliance requirements attached to the Perkins grant? Please confirm there are no unfunded mandates before approving this purchase.’
💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandates
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