|
Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming MCALLEN ISD agenda. There are 5 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
|
District Paid Anti-Taxpayer Lobby Group TASB
Minutes from the August 25 meeting, up for approval under item 6.D.1, confirm the board approved a ‘Staffing Review’ from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). This uses local property tax dollars to pay an organization that actively lobbies the Texas Legislature for higher taxes and against parental rights.
Response
DEMAND AN EXPLANATION: Contact the Board (see district website for emails): ‘Why is McAllen ISD using our tax dollars to fund TASB, a group that lobbies against taxpayer interests in Austin? Please justify the payment for the “Staffing Review” mentioned in the August 25 minutes.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
|
Board Poised to Double Superintendent’s Spending Power
The board will take a final vote on Policy CH (LOCAL), which doubles the Superintendent’s authority to make purchases without prior board approval from $50,000 to $100,000. This change significantly reduces public oversight on large taxpayer expenditures.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Board (see district website for emails): ‘Vote NO on Item 6.B.3. Doubling the Superintendent’s spending authority to $100,000 without a vote removes critical taxpayer oversight. Keep the threshold at $50,000.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Oversight
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
|
Statewide Student Data Sharing on Consent Agenda
The district is renewing its agreement with the Texas Student Data System (TSDS) PEIMS Cooperative through Region One ESC, hidden on the consent agenda. This system feeds local student data into a massive state database, but the specific terms of the agreement are not available for public review in the provided documents.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Board (see district website for emails): ‘Pull Item 5.F from the Consent Agenda. Parents deserve a public discussion and a recorded vote on any agreement that shares our children’s data with state-level systems.’
💰 Impact: Student Data Harvesting
|
| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
|
Student Data Software on Consent Agenda
The board is set to approve a software license for ‘Data Management for Assessment and Curriculum’ (DMAC) as part of a bundled vote. The agreement details were not included in the public agenda packet, preventing review of what student data will be collected and how it will be used.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file ‘2027-039 BAI (part 2) – signed’ attached to Item 5.B in the Official Agenda (linked above) to determine the full scope of data collection and sharing before the vote.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Student Data Sharing
|
| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
|
District to Hire Bond Project Manager with No Price Tag
The district is selecting a ‘Bond Project Management’ firm to oversee potentially millions in construction funds. While an evaluation matrix is provided, the agenda does not disclose the cost of this management contract, preventing taxpayers from knowing how much of their bond money will go to consultants instead of classrooms.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Board (see district website for emails): ‘Regarding Item 6.C.3, what is the proposed fee structure for the bond project manager? Taxpayers deserve to see the full cost of this contract before a firm is selected.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Consultant Fees
|
|
|
“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
Powered by Sentinel Engine |