Texas Public Policy Foundation Alert: HOWE ISD – Monday, September 21, 2026 [51e35653]

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming HOWE ISD agenda. There are 6 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.

🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9)

District Seeks Exemption from Armed Officer Mandate

📅 Scheduled Action

The board will vote on a “good cause exception” to avoid complying with a state law requiring an armed security officer on every campus. This action directly impacts student safety and the security of school facilities.

Response

DEMAND ANSWERS: Contact the Howe ISD board before the meeting. Ask them to explain in public session why they cannot meet the state’s requirement for an armed officer at every school and what alternative security plans are in place before voting on Item VIII.H.

💰 Impact: Reduced Campus Security

⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8)

Board to Rule on Challenged Library Books

📅 Scheduled Action

The board will vote on a recommendation following a parent’s formal challenge to library materials. This is a critical moment for parents to ensure school libraries contain age-appropriate content and are free from ideological agendas.

Response

SHOW UP FOR PARENTAL RIGHTS: Attend the meeting and sign up for public comment on Item VIII.A. Urge the board to uphold parental rights and ensure library materials are age-appropriate and educationally sound.

💰 Impact: Inappropriate Content in Libraries

⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7)

Vote on Undisclosed Purchases Over $100,000

📅 Scheduled Action

The board is scheduled to approve purchases exceeding $100,000 with no description of what is being bought. This lack of transparency prevents taxpayers from knowing how a significant amount of their money is being spent.

Response

DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Howe ISD board and ask for the details of the purchases under Item VIII.E to be made public before any vote is taken. Taxpayers deserve to know what they are buying.

💰 Impact: $100,000+

🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6)

Requires Verification

Vote to Approve New Classroom Book Lists

📅 Scheduled Action

The board will vote to approve a new list of books for classroom libraries. The list itself was not included in the agenda packet, preventing parents from easily reviewing the materials their children will be given.

Response

INVESTIGATE: The district states the book list for Item VIII.B was ‘posted for the required period.’ Find this list on the district website or request it from the administration. Email the board with any concerns before the vote.

💰 Impact: Politicized Classroom Content

🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5)

Requires Verification

New Vendor List Hidden on Consent Agenda

📅 Scheduled Action

The board plans to approve the 2026-2027 vendor list as part of the “Consent Agenda,” a package of items passed with a single vote and no discussion. This could allow controversial consultants or suppliers, such as DEI or SEL providers, to be approved without public scrutiny.

Response

DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Howe ISD board and demand that Item VI.C, the Vendor List, be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve to know who the district is doing business with.

💰 Impact: Undisclosed Consultant Fees

🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5)

Requires Verification

Vote on Unspecified Budget Amendments

📅 Scheduled Action

The board plans to vote on changes to the district budget without providing any details in the agenda. These amendments could shift significant funds between programs with no public oversight.

Response

DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Howe ISD board and ask for a detailed summary of the proposed budget amendments in Item VIII.D to be released to the public before the meeting.

💰 Impact: Hidden Spending Priorities

District Info

Address

105 W TUTT ST, HOWE, TX 75459

“Freedom, Prosperity &
Opportunity”

TPPF is a conservative think tank whose mission is to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise in Texas and the nation.

Contribute to the mission