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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming HAYS CISD agenda and found 6 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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District to Finalize Anti-Taxpayer Lobbying Platform
Under Item M.4, the board is discussing its legislative priorities for the 2027 session. The proposed platform includes lobbying for higher state funding and opposing restrictions on the district’s ability to issue debt, positioning the district to use taxpayer resources to lobby against taxpayer interests.
Response
SHOW UP AND SPEAK UP: Sign up for public comment at the meeting. Email the Hays CISD Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item M.4, the district should not use our tax dollars to lobby against property tax relief or for easier ways to issue debt. Represent the taxpayers, not the bureaucracy.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Public Speaking Time Quietly Reduced
The board’s ‘standard practice’ under Item E limits public comment to 3 minutes on agenda items and 2 minutes on other topics. This is a reduction from the 5 minutes stated in their own policy document, limiting the public’s ability to provide meaningful input.
Response
Email the Hays CISD Board (contact info on district website): ‘Item E shows a quiet reduction in public speaking time from 5 minutes to 3 or 2. I urge you to restore the full 5 minutes for public comment to ensure robust community input as stated in your policy.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Bond Interest Used for Unapproved Stadium Upgrades
The board is being asked to approve a $300,000 design contract for turf and track replacement at Hays High School, funded by bond interest earnings (Item L.8). This project was part of a future bond that has been postponed, meaning the district is using ‘found money’ to start a project voters have not specifically approved.
Response
Email the Hays CISD Board (contact info on district website): ‘Item L.8 uses bond interest for a stadium project that should be in a future bond for voter approval. This sidesteps the voters. Please vote NO on this contract.’
💰 Impact: Bypassing Voters
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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$240,500 Consultant Contract to Fill Staff Roles
The district plans to pay O’Connell Robertson Architects $240,500 to provide project management for a new high school because it has been unable to hire its own staff (Item L.7). This is a costly ‘staff augmentation’ that uses premium-priced consultants to do work that should be handled by district employees.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Hays CISD Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item L.7, why must taxpayers pay a $240,500 premium for consultants instead of hiring staff directly? I request a roll-call vote on this contract.’
💰 Impact: $240,500 Consultant Fees
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague $1.4M Fuel Contract Extension
The board is voting on a $1.4 million contract extension for bulk fuel under Consent Agenda Item K.3.a. The justification is a failed bidding process, but the actual contract document was not included in the public agenda packet.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file ‘SC FUELS ADDENDUM_EXECUTED’ attached to Item K.3.a in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm the terms of this $1.4M extension. Email the Board: ‘Pull Item K.3.a from the consent agenda. Taxpayers deserve to see the terms of a $1.4M contract before it is approved.’
💰 Impact: $1.4M (Undisclosed Terms)
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Unexplained $1M Spending Increase in Budget Amendment
A budget amendment under Consent Item K.5 adds $1 million in spending to the Child Nutrition fund. The only explanation provided is a vague ‘Increase Revenue and Contracted Service,’ with no details on the vendor or services being purchased.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Hays CISD Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Budget Amendment #2 in Item K.5, what specific contracted service costs $1 million? Please provide the contract and vendor details before voting.’
💰 Impact: $1M (Vague Service)
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