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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming LAREDO ISD agenda. There are 6 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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District Renews $92,863 Contract with Lobbying Group Affiliate
Under the consent agenda, the board will vote to renew a $92,863 contract with the TASB Risk Management Fund for unemployment insurance. While this is for a service, it directs significant taxpayer funds to an affiliate of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), a powerful lobby that often works against property tax relief and parental rights in Austin.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the LISD Board (see Official Agenda link for contact info). ‘Pull Item 4A from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and roll-call vote. Why is the district sending taxpayer money to an arm of a political lobbying organization?’
💰 Impact: $92,863 to TASB Affiliate
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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District Proposes 5-Year Student Health Data Sharing Agreement
The board will vote on a five-year agreement with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide “preventative dental services” inside schools. This program involves collecting students’ protected health information (PHI) and establishes a long-term relationship with an outside government agency to provide services and gather data on LISD students.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the LISD Board. ‘Regarding Item 5, what specific student data will be shared with DSHS under this 5-year MOU? Parents, not government agencies, should be the primary coordinators of their children’s healthcare.’
💰 Impact: Student Health Data Collection
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Board to Approve $455,000 Budget Amendment, Reducing Savings
The board will vote on budget amendment BA #2627-09, which appropriates $455,000 for the federal ERATE program. The district’s own documents state this amendment will result in a “reduction of Fund Balance,” meaning it will be paid for by drawing down district savings.
Response
ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS: Contact the LISD Board. ‘Regarding BA #2627-09, why is this $455,000 expenditure requiring a reduction in the district’s fund balance? What is the long-term plan to pay for these recurring technology costs without dipping into savings?’
💰 Impact: $455,000 Reduction in Fund Balance
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Board Reallocates $50,699 in “Discretionary Funds”
The board will approve a $50,699 budget amendment by transferring money from the “Board of Trustees discretionary funds.” The agenda provides no detail on what these discretionary funds are being reallocated to, obscuring the purpose of the spending.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the LISD Board. ‘Regarding BA#2627-08, please provide a public, itemized list of the expenditures this $50,699 transfer from the Board’s discretionary fund will cover. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Purpose
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
The board will vote to approve new library book purchases under the process required by SB 13, which includes a 30-day public comment period. While the process is outlined, the primary attachments listing the elementary and high school books for approval were not included in the provided agenda packet.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the files attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) for Item 7, specifically ‘Region One_26.27_Elementary_Books’ and ‘Region One_26.27_High Schools_Books’, to confirm the content of the books being purchased with taxpayer money.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Book Purchases
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Positive Signal (LEVEL 3) |
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District Saves Taxpayer Money by Canceling Uncontested Election
The board is moving to certify unopposed candidates and cancel the election for Single Member Trustee District 5. This is a common-sense governance measure that saves taxpayers the significant cost of holding an election for a race with only one candidate.
How to Secure It
SECURE THE WIN: Thank the LISD Board for taking the fiscally responsible step of canceling the election for uncontested seats under Items 10 and 11. This saves taxpayer money and should be standard practice.
✅ Why It Matters: Taxpayer Savings
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