Texas Public Policy Foundation Alert: SMITHVILLE ISD – Monday, September 21, 2026 [5ddb3c6c]

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming SMITHVILLE ISD agenda. There are 2 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.

⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7)

Board to Approve Lobby Groups as Official Trainers

📅 Scheduled Action

The board is voting to approve a list of “independent” training providers for its financial officers. This list includes the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA), and Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO)—all of which lobby the Legislature for higher taxes and against taxpayer interests. This vote uses a state requirement as a vehicle to legitimize and support anti-taxpayer lobby groups.

Response

DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Smithville ISD Board of Trustees (see the Official Agenda link for contact methods): ‘I demand Consent Item G.10 be pulled for a separate discussion and roll-call vote. Why is the district approving taxpayer-funded lobby groups like TASB and TASA as official trainers? Please find neutral, pro-taxpayer training providers.’

💰 Impact: Entrenching Anti-Taxpayer Lobbyists

🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6)

Requires Verification

Vague ‘Improvement Plans’ Tied to Federal Mandates

📅 Scheduled Action

The board will vote to approve “Targeted Improvement Plans” for campuses participating in federal programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The actual plans are not attached to the agenda, preventing public review before the vote. These federal programs often come with strings attached, such as data-sharing mandates or new staffing requirements that local taxpayers must fund after the grant money is gone.

Response

DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Smithville ISD Board of Trustees (see the Official Agenda link for contact methods): ‘Before you vote on Item I.2, the public deserves to see the full Targeted Improvement Plans. Please postpone the vote until the documents are published and taxpayers can review the long-term costs and data-sharing requirements associated with these federal ESSA funds.’

💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandates

District Info

Address

901 NE 6TH ST, SMITHVILLE, TX 78957

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