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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming RAMIREZ CSD agenda and found 5 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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District to Rubber-Stamp Policy from Lobby Group TASB
The board plans to approve a package of policy updates from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) without individual discussion by hiding it on the consent agenda. TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobby that often works against parental rights and property tax relief at the state capitol.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the District Office. ‘Pull Item VII.A from the Consent Agenda. Taxpayers deserve a separate discussion and roll-call vote on every policy change recommended by the TASB lobbying group.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Fees
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague ‘Improvement Plan’ Up for Vote Without Details
The board is scheduled to approve a ‘Local Improvement Plan’ without providing the document to the public in the agenda. This plan could contain significant new spending or policy changes hidden from taxpayer view until after the vote.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the District Office. ‘The public cannot evaluate Item VIII.C, the Local Improvement Plan, because it was not included in the agenda. Postpone this vote until the full plan is made public.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Spending
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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New Contract for ‘Counseling Services’ Lacks Detail
The district is voting to hire a new counselor without providing the contract or a description of the services to be provided. This lack of transparency could conceal the introduction of controversial Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) or other non-academic programming.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the District Office. ‘Before voting on Item VIII.A, please publish the proposed contract and a summary of services for Dr. Nadia Moreno. Parents have a right to know what counseling entails.’
💰 Impact: Mission Creep
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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District Discussing Multiple Grants with Unknown Strings
The superintendent’s report includes discussion of several grants, including the ‘LIFT Grant’ and ‘EduKate Grants.’ While grants can provide funding, they often come with federal or private mandates that create long-term costs and policy obligations for local taxpayers.
Response
ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS: Contact the District Office. ‘Regarding agenda items V.A and V.C, what are the long-term requirements and data-sharing agreements attached to these grants? Will local taxpayers have to fund these programs permanently?’
💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandates
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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District Membership in South Texas Association of Schools
The agenda includes a discussion of the South Texas Association of Schools (STAS). Taxpayers should know if their money is being used to pay dues to an organization that, like TASB or TML, lobbies the state legislature against their interests.
Response
REQUEST AN AUDIT: Contact the District Office. ‘Regarding Item V.D, does the district pay dues to STAS, and does STAS engage in lobbying activities? Taxpayer dollars should not fund political lobbying.’
💰 Impact: Potential Lobbying Dues
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