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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming PECOS-BARSTOW-TOYAH ISD agenda. There are 6 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
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District Paves Way for Future Debt Issuance
The board is passing a “reimbursement resolution,” a legal step that allows the district to spend cash now on projects and pay itself back later by issuing debt. This is often the first step toward issuing Certificates of Obligation, a form of debt that does not require voter approval.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: This is the first step to taking on new debt without your permission. Contact the PBTISD Board of Trustees (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Vote NO on Consent Agenda Item 6.M. Any new debt should be approved by the voters, not maneuvered around them.’
💰 Impact: Future Debt Without Voter Approval
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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District Seeks Waiver for Superintendent Qualifications
Under Consent Agenda Item 6.H, the district is asking the state to waive the standard certification requirements for its superintendent. This lowers accountability and raises questions about why a fully qualified candidate is not being hired for the top position.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the PBTISD Board of Trustees: ‘Pull Item 6.H from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and vote. The public deserves to know why the district cannot find a superintendent who meets the state’s minimum qualifications.’
💰 Impact: Lowered Professional Standards
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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New Student Data Sharing Agreement
The district is approving a data-sharing agreement with an external group, the Harmony Home Children’s Advocacy Center. Sharing student data raises privacy concerns, and the district has not provided the agreement for public review to see what information is being shared or what parental opt-out rights exist.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the PBTISD Board of Trustees: ‘Regarding Item 6.Q, please publish the full data-sharing agreement before the vote. What specific student data will be shared, and what are the parental consent and opt-out procedures?’
💰 Impact: Student Privacy Risks
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Unspecified Budget Amendments on Consent Agenda
The board is set to approve budget amendments without providing any details to the public. This practice obscures how taxpayer money is being reallocated, potentially funding new projects or covering overspending without public scrutiny.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Contact the PBTISD Board of Trustees: ‘Pull Item 6.L from the Consent Agenda. The public deserves to see a detailed breakdown of all budget transfers before they are approved.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Approval of New, Unspecified Staff Positions
The board plans to approve 2.25 new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions without specifying their roles or cost. This adds a recurring salary and benefits burden to the budget with no public justification for the new hires.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the PBTISD Board of Trustees: ‘Regarding Item 6.K, what are these new positions and what is their total annual cost to taxpayers? This should not be passed on a consent agenda without details.’
💰 Impact: Permanent Staffing Increase
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Undisclosed Changes to Employee Compensation Plan
The board is voting on an unspecified amendment to the district’s compensation plan. Without the details, this could be anything from minor adjustments to significant pay raises for administrators, hidden from public view until after the vote.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Contact the PBTISD Board of Trustees: ‘Before voting on Item 6.I, please publish the proposed changes to the compensation plan for public review.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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