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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming HAYS CISD agenda. There are 8 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 10) |
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District Hides Property Tax Increase With Deceptive Math
The Board is voting on a new tax rate of $1.14. The district’s “Taxpayer Impact Statement” misleadingly claims this will decrease the median tax bill by $210. In reality, rising appraisals mean the bill on the median home will increase by approximately $159, a fact hidden by the district using outdated property values in its calculation.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: Demand the board correct the misleading ‘Taxpayer Impact Statement’ for Item K.8 before the vote. Email the Board: ‘Item K.8 presents a tax increase, not a cut. I demand you present the real numbers to the public and adopt the true no-new-revenue rate to prevent a tax hike.’
💰 Impact: $159 Tax Increase Per Median Home
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| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
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District Seeks to Sideline Parent and Staff Grievances
Under Item K.3, the district plans to use its “District of Innovation” status to exempt itself from state law (TEC Chapter 26A) governing parent, student, and staff complaints. While claiming this is for “efficiency,” it removes a state-mandated due process framework, making it easier for the administration to control the outcome of disputes.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Tell the Board to vote NO on Item K.3. Email the Board: ‘State grievance laws exist to protect parents and staff. Do not use ‘District of Innovation’ status to dismantle accountability. Vote NO on amending the DOI plan.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Accountability
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| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
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District Proposes $3.6 Million for TASB-Affiliated Group
Buried in a list of “Annual Costs” under Item K.5.b is a massive $3.6 million approval for “Texas Association of School Business Risk Management.” This is an arm of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), a lobby group that consistently works against taxpayer interests, property tax relief, and parental rights in Austin.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board to pull the ‘Texas Association of School Business Risk Management’ line item from the annual costs in Item K.5.b for a separate vote. Ask them: ‘Why are we sending millions to an arm of a political lobby group instead of keeping it in the classroom?’
💰 Impact: $3.6 Million
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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District Approves Special Tax Break for One Company
Item K.9 is a “Payment in Lieu of Taxes” (PILOT) agreement for ENF Technology, granting it “Foreign Trade Zone” status to avoid paying property taxes on its inventory. In exchange, the company will make a smaller, negotiated payment to the district. This is a special tax break that shifts the burden to homeowners and other businesses.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Tell the Board to vote NO on the special tax deal in Item K.9. Email the Board: ‘Every business should pay its fair share. Do not grant special tax exemptions that force homeowners to cover the difference. Vote NO on the Foreign Trade Zone PILOT agreement.’
💰 Impact: Shifted Tax Burden
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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District to Spend $200,000 on “Leader in Me” SEL Program
Item K.5.b includes a $200,000 purchase order for “Franklin Covey/ Leader in Me.” “Leader in Me” is a well-known Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program that focuses on teaching specific habits and mindsets, diverting classroom time and resources from core academic subjects.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board to pull the ‘Franklin Covey/ Leader in Me’ line item from the annual costs in Item K.5.b for a separate vote. Ask them: ‘Why are we spending $200,000 on SEL programs instead of focusing on academic excellence and core subjects like reading, writing, and math?’
💰 Impact: $200,000
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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District Admits Non-Compliance with School Safety Law
In Item K.2, the district is voting to declare a “Good Cause Exception” to state law requiring an armed officer at every campus. The district states it cannot comply due to a lack of “qualified personnel.” This is a formal admission that the district is not meeting the school safety standards set by the Texas Legislature.
Response
DEMAND A PLAN: Ask the Board during public comment for Item K.2: ‘What is the specific, time-bound plan to recruit, hire, and fund enough officers to comply with state law and secure every campus? An exception is not a long-term solution.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Campus Security
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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District Paid Lobby Group for “Team Building”
Minutes from the August 17, 2026 meeting confirm the district hired and paid the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) to conduct a “team building” session. This payment for services further entrenches the district’s relationship with a lobby group that actively works against taxpayer interests in the Texas Legislature.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board and ask: ‘How much taxpayer money was paid to the TASB lobbying group for the ‘team building’ session on August 17? The district should not be subsidizing political organizations.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Fees
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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District to Spend $2.6M in Bond Interest on New Trucks
The district plans to spend over $2.6 million on 43 new fleet vehicles under Item K.5.e. This purchase is being funded with interest earned from the 2025 voter-approved bond. While likely legal, voters never explicitly approved using bond interest for a massive vehicle purchase.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board regarding Item K.5.e: ‘Spending bond interest on a fleet of new vehicles is not what voters approved. This money should be used to pay down bond debt and save taxpayers money.’
💰 Impact: $2.6M (No Direct Voter Approval)
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