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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming LASARA ISD agenda. There are 5 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
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Annual Property Tax Rate Vote
Under Item 6, the board will vote to set the property tax rate for the 2026-2027 school year. This is the single most important vote affecting every taxpayer’s bill. With rising property values, even a ‘lower’ or ‘unchanged’ rate can result in a significant tax increase.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: Show up to the meeting and sign up to speak on Item 6. Email the board: ‘I urge you to protect homeowners and adopt the No-New-Revenue tax rate. Any rate higher is a tax increase, and I demand a recorded roll-call vote on this item.’
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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District Seeks ‘Disaster Pennies’ Taxing Authority
Item 5 asks the board to approve a ‘Disaster Pennies Resolution.’ This is a specific type of tax authority that can allow the district to raise tax revenue outside of the normal voter-approval process, often for debt service, and can be difficult to repeal once enacted.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the board to demand Item 5 be discussed fully in open session with a clear explanation of the long-term tax impact. ‘What is the exact financial obligation of the ‘Disaster Pennies’ resolution, and why isn’t this being put to the voters?’
💰 Impact: Potential Tax Increase
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague ‘As Needed’ Consultant Contract
Item 11 proposes a ‘professional services agreement’ with ‘Candor consulting & Diagnostics’ for a school psychologist and physical therapist ‘as needed.’ The agenda provides no contract details, cost, or spending cap, creating a potential blank check for consultant spending with taxpayer money.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the board before the meeting. ‘Regarding Item 11, please publish the full contract and state the maximum cost for the agreement with Candor consulting before any vote is taken. Taxpayers deserve to know what they are paying for.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Blank Check for Public Comment Time Limits
The agenda leaves the time limit for public comments blank, stating speakers will be allowed a maximum of ‘___ minutes’. This allows the board to arbitrarily set or change time limits at the start of the meeting, potentially silencing residents on controversial topics without prior notice.
Response
DEMAND CLARITY: Contact the Lasara ISD board and ask that a consistent, predetermined time limit for public comment be formally adopted into board policy and printed on every agenda. ‘Residents deserve to know the rules for public participation before they arrive at a meeting.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 8) |
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District May Authorize Armed Staff to Protect Students
Items 21 and 22 authorize the creation of a School Guardian Program. This program allows the district to arm and train qualified employees, providing an immediate layer of on-site security to protect students and staff. This is a significant local-control measure to enhance school safety.
How to Secure It
SHOW UP TO SUPPORT: Attend the meeting to thank the board for taking proactive, local steps to secure schools. ‘Please vote YES on Items 21 and 22. Thank you for empowering our district to protect our children.’
✅ Why It Matters: Enhanced School Safety
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