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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming BLOOMINGTON ISD agenda. There are 4 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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Confusing Tax Statement Obscures Likely Tax Hike
The district proposes keeping the property tax rate the same at $0.9286. Because property appraisals have risen, keeping the same rate is a tax increase for most homeowners, not a ‘hold the line’ budget. The board’s required ‘Taxpayer Impact Statement’ uses confusing and nonsensical figures, making it impossible for a taxpayer to see the real dollar impact of this decision.
Response
DEMAND CLARITY: Contact the Bloomington ISD administration before the meeting. Ask for a clear ‘Taxpayer Impact Statement’ that shows the actual dollar increase for the average homeowner under the proposed $0.9286 rate, and demand they publish the no-new-revenue rate for comparison.
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague ‘School Improvement’ Grant Contract
The board is voting to approve a ‘Statement of Work’ with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) funded by a grant. The details of this contract, including any data sharing requirements, curriculum influence, or long-term costs after the grant money runs out, are not disclosed in the agenda.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file for Item 7.D attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to see the full ‘Statement of Work.’ Email the board to ask: ‘What are the long-term costs and policy commitments associated with this NIET grant after the initial funding runs out?’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Policy Strings
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| ALERT (LEVEL 3) |
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School Board Cancels Election, Incumbents Re-Elected
The board is canceling the school board election because all four candidates are running unopposed. While this saves the cost of an election, it means voters have no choice in their representation, which can lead to a lack of accountability over time.
Response
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE: This is a sign of low civic engagement. Start now to identify and encourage qualified candidates to run for the school board in the next election cycle to ensure voters have a choice and incumbents face accountability.
💰 Impact: Reduced Voter Choice
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Win (LEVEL 4) |
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District Ends Lone Star Governance Contract
The board is voting to end its contract for Lone Star Governance (LSG) services. This move could save taxpayer money and return the board to a more traditional governance model, free from a state-prescribed framework that many boards find bureaucratic and ineffective.
How to Secure It
SECURE THE WIN: Show up and ask the board to state for the record the annual cost of the LSG contract they are ending. This confirms the savings and encourages other districts to review their own costly governance consultant contracts.
✅ Why It Matters: Potential Cost Savings
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