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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming FORT BEND ISD agenda. There are 9 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 10) |
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District to Authorize Over $723 Million in Debt
The board is considering two orders (Fixed Rate and Variable Rate) that together authorize the issuance of up to $723.4 million in bonds. This includes up to $200 million in new money for projects and refinancing $150 million in short-term commercial paper into long-term debt, adding a massive burden onto taxpayers for decades.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: This is a massive debt issuance that will be paid by property taxpayers for decades. Contact the Fort Bend ISD Board (see official agenda link for contact info) and demand they reject the ‘Fixed Rate Bond Order’ and ‘Variable Rate Bond Order’. ‘Do not authorize $723 million in new long-term debt without direct, specific voter approval for this transaction.’
💰 Impact: $723.4M in New Debt
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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District Paves Way for $57 Million in Future Debt
The board is voting on a “Reimbursement Resolution” that formally declares its intent to borrow up to $57.15 million for capital projects. This procedural step allows the district to spend cash now and pay itself back with future tax-exempt bond proceeds, committing taxpayers to more debt.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Fort Bend ISD Board (see official agenda link for contact info): ‘Vote NO on the Reimbursement Resolution. This is the first step toward issuing more debt without voter input. Taxpayers demand fiscal restraint, not more borrowing.’
💰 Impact: $57.15M in Future Debt
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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Board Asked to Cede Contract Authority to Superintendent
The district wants to delegate authority to the Superintendent to sign a multi-year natural gas contract for an undetermined amount, listed as “Not to exceed TBD.” This bypasses board oversight and public transparency on a major utility contract, allowing a deal to be signed behind closed doors.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Fort Bend ISD Board (see official agenda link for contact info): ‘Do not delegate your authority on the Natural Gas Procurement contract. The final price and terms must be brought back to the board for a public, recorded vote. Do not approve a blank check.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Contract Value
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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District to Hire Consultant for Audit Oversight
The board plans to hire Plante & Moran, PLLC, for “Program Management Consultant Services” for the Board Audit Program. This is an open-ended, multi-year contract with no total cost specified, creating a new layer of paid consultants to perform oversight functions that should be handled by the elected board.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Fort Bend ISD Board (see official agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding the PMC Services contract with Plante & Moran, what is the total not-to-exceed cost for the full five-year term? Do not approve open-ended consultant contracts.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Consultant Fees
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Major Decision on $195 Million in Existing Debt
The board is authorizing the “conversion” of $195 million in existing variable-rate bonds (Series 2024B). This action will determine the interest rate structure for this massive debt for years to come, locking taxpayers into either a new variable rate with market risk or a fixed rate.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Fort Bend ISD Board (see official agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding the Conversion Order for Series 2024B bonds, taxpayers expect you to prioritize the option that provides the lowest cost and least risk. Please explain the financial analysis behind your choice before the vote.’
💰 Impact: Interest Rate Risk on $195M
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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$1 Million for Vague “Services” from Region 4
The board is set to approve up to $1,000,000 over five years for unspecified “products and services” from the Region 4 Education Service Center. This large, vague contract can be a vehicle for funding low-value consulting or ideological training with little public oversight.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Fort Bend ISD Board (see official agenda link for contact info): ‘Before approving $1 million for Region 4, please provide a detailed breakdown of the specific services and deliverables the district will receive. Taxpayers should not fund vague consulting agreements.’
💰 Impact: $1M for Vague Services
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Budget Amendment Drains $11.4M from Reserves
A proposed budget amendment, while making some cuts due to lower enrollment, results in a net drain of $11.4 million from the district’s fund balance. This reduces the district’s financial cushion from 90 days of operating expenses to 88, continuing a trend of spending down reserves.
Response
ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS: Contact the Fort Bend ISD Board (see official agenda link for contact info): ‘The proposed budget amendment drains another $11.4M from the fund balance. What is the long-term plan to stop spending down reserves and live within our means?’
💰 Impact: Reduced Financial Reserves
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 9) |
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WIN: District Adopts Tax Rate Below No-New-Revenue Level
The administration is recommending a 2026 property tax rate of $0.9969, which is below the calculated no-new-revenue rate of $1.021062. This is a significant win for taxpayers, as it means the district is not increasing the tax burden on existing properties to generate more revenue.
How to Secure It
SECURE THE WIN: Show up to thank the Board for proposing a tax rate below the no-new-revenue rate. Email the Fort Bend ISD Board (see official agenda link for contact info): ‘Thank you for respecting taxpayers by proposing a tax rate below the no-new-revenue rate. Please adopt the proposed $0.9969 rate for the 2026 tax year.’
✅ Why It Matters: Lower Property Taxes
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| Win (LEVEL 4) |
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WIN: District Policy Prohibits Race in Gifted Program Selection
A proposed revision to Policy EHBB (Gifted and Talented Students) explicitly prohibits the use of race, ethnicity, or sex in selection matrices for the program. This is a win for merit and ensures students are selected based on ability, not identity.
How to Secure It
AMPLIFY THE WIN: Contact the Fort Bend ISD Board (see official agenda link for contact info) to support the revision to Policy EHBB. ‘Thank you for ensuring the Gifted and Talented program selection is based on merit by prohibiting the use of race and ethnicity. Please approve this important policy update.’
✅ Why It Matters: Merit-Based Selection
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