Texas Public Policy Foundation Alert: BALMORHEA ISD – Monday, September 21, 2026 [1e27555e]

Texas Public Policy Foundation

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

🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9)

District Plans to Spend $1.45M More Than It Collects

📅 Scheduled Action

The district’s adopted budget for 2026-27 shows a $1.45 million deficit, with planned spending far exceeding revenues. While the board is holding a public hearing and then voting on the new tax rate (Item 10.A), the actual proposed rate and its comparison to the no-new-revenue rate were not included in the agenda packet, leaving taxpayers in the dark.

Response

DEMAND ANSWERS AT THE PUBLIC HEARING: Attend the hearing for Item 2 and ask the board: How will the $1.45 million budget deficit be funded? What is the proposed tax rate, the no-new-revenue rate, and the voter-approval rate, and why wasn’t this published before the vote on Item 10.A?

💰 Impact: $1.45M Budget Deficit

⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7)

Rubber-Stamping Policy from Austin Lobbying Group

📅 Scheduled Action

The board plans to approve “Policy Update 127” from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) as part of the consent agenda, without separate discussion. TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobbying group that often advocates for policies in Austin that lead to higher taxes and less local control.

Response

DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Balmorhea ISD board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info) and demand that Item 9.D be pulled from the consent agenda for a separate discussion and a recorded vote. Ask the board if they have reviewed every policy change or if they are simply rubber-stamping recommendations from an Austin lobbyist.

💰 Impact: Entrenching Lobbyist Influence

District Info

Address

403 S SAN ANGELO, BALMORHEA, TX 79718

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