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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming FT SAM HOUSTON ISD agenda and found 5 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Undisclosed TEA Investigation
The board will meet in closed session and may take action on an unspecified investigation by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The public is given no information about the subject, scope, or potential financial or policy impact of this investigation, representing a significant lack of transparency.
Response
DEMAND ANSWERS: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) and show up for public comment. ‘Regarding Item 19, the public has a right to know the nature of the TEA investigation. What is the subject of the investigation, and what are the potential consequences for taxpayers and students?’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Legal/Financial Risk
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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District Pays Lobbying Group for Policy Services
The district is using the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) for policy drafting services, as noted in the backup documents for Item 12. TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobbying organization that often works against taxpayer interests, such as property tax relief and educational freedom, in the Texas Legislature.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) and ask the Board to pull Item 12 for a separate vote. ‘Why is the district paying TASB, a lobby group that works against taxpayers, for policy services? We should seek policy advice from sources that don’t lobby against parents and taxpayers.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Support
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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District Implements Student Emotion-Tracking Software
The Robert G. Cole Middle/High School improvement plan, part of Item 14, includes using ‘Class Catalyst’ software for daily Social Emotional Learning (SEL) check-ins. This type of software collects subjective data on student emotions and well-being, often without clear parental consent or opt-out procedures.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) regarding Item 14. ‘What data is the Class Catalyst software collecting on students? I demand to see the district’s policy for parental notification, consent, and opt-out for all SEL-related data collection and surveys.’
💰 Impact: Student Data Harvesting
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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Undisclosed Fee to Join Purchasing Alliance
The district plans to join the Central Texas Purchasing Alliance under Item 7. While a district memo claims there is ‘no cost to join,’ the attached legal agreement clearly states an ‘annual fee’ will be required, the amount of which is not disclosed to the board or the public.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) and ask the Board: ‘Regarding Item 7, the memo says there is no cost to join the Central Texas Purchasing Alliance, but the agreement mentions an annual fee. What is the fee, and why was this not disclosed?’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Annual Fee
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✅ Wins for Taxpayers
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 8) |
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District Restores Parent Health Advisory Committee
The district is revising policy FFA(LOCAL) to reinstate the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), reversing a previous move that used a ‘District of Innovation’ plan to bypass it. This change, prompted by state law, restores a key avenue for direct parent and community oversight of student health and wellness policies.
How to Lock It In
SECURE THE WIN: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link) to thank them for approving Item 12 and reinstating the SHAC. ‘Thank you for restoring the Student Health Advisory Committee. This is a crucial step for parent transparency, and we urge you to ensure the new SHAC is populated with parents who will prioritize student well-being over activist agendas.’
✅ Why It Matters: Increased Parent Oversight
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