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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming RICHARDSON ISD agenda. There are 7 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 10) |
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District Proposes 6.75% Effective Property Tax Hike
The board will vote on a new tax rate that will increase property taxes for maintenance and operations. The district’s own documents state this is a 6.75% effective rate increase and will raise taxes on a $100,000 home by approximately $71.55, even as property appraisals rise.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: This is a direct tax hike. Show up to the meeting on September 17 and sign up for public comment. Contact the RISD Board (see official agenda for contact info): ‘Vote NO on the tax increase in Item IV.C. Adopt the no-new-revenue rate and protect homeowners.’
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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Over $173,000 Paid to Lobbying Group’s Purchasing Co-op
Buried in the consent agenda’s purchasing report is a cumulative payment of $173,733.91 to the “BUY BOARD – Texas Association of School Boards.” TASB is a lobbying organization that actively works against taxpayer interests, such as property tax relief and school choice, in the Texas Legislature.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the RISD Board (see official agenda for contact info): ‘Pull the purchasing report, Item III.C, from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and roll-call vote. Taxpayers should not be forced to fund groups that lobby against them.’
💰 Impact: $173,733.91
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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Board to Set State Lobbying Agenda Behind Vague Title
The board is scheduled to “Review & Discuss 2027 Legislative Priorities,” which sets the district’s official lobbying platform for the next legislative session. However, the actual proposed priorities are not included in the public agenda packet, preventing public review before the meeting.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached to Item IV.B in the Official Agenda (linked above) to see the district’s proposed lobbying platform. Contact the RISD Board: ‘Publish the full 2027 Legislative Priorities document online immediately so taxpayers can review it before the discussion.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Goals
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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District Policy Limits Public Comment Opportunity
The district requires citizens to sign up online for public comment by 12:00 PM on the day of the meeting. This deadline prevents parents and taxpayers who learn of an issue during the workday from being able to speak at that evening’s meeting.
Response
DEMAND MORE ACCESS: Contact the RISD Board (see official agenda for contact info): ‘The 12 PM public comment deadline in your procedures (Item II) silences busy parents and taxpayers. Please amend your policy to allow sign-ups until the meeting begins.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague “Miscellaneous Consultant” Rosters Approved
Under Consent Agenda Item III.C, the board is approving rosters of “Miscellaneous Consultant Services” for two school years. These include vague categories like “Educational Consultant” and “Public Relations” with no specified deliverables or costs, opening the door to unchecked spending.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the RISD Board (see official agenda for contact info): ‘Before approving the consultant rosters in Item III.C, please provide the public with the expected scope and cost for these services. Taxpayers deserve to know what they are paying for.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 9) |
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RISD Codifies State Ban on DEI Initiatives
The board is taking multiple actions to comply with state law prohibiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and staff duties. The district is formally certifying its compliance to the state (Item IV.F) and updating its superintendent nonrenewal policy (Item III.H) to include assigning DEI duties as a fireable offense.
How to Secure It
SECURE THE WIN: Show up to the September 17 meeting to thank the Board for fully implementing state law banning DEI. Email the RISD Board: ‘Thank you for your votes on Items III.H and IV.F to ensure RISD is focused on academics, not ideology, by fully complying with the state’s ban on DEI.’
✅ Why It Matters: Protects from Mission Creep
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| Major Win (LEVEL 9) |
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Major Boost for Parental Rights and Transparency
In a major win for parents, the board is reviewing new policies (Item IV.I) that require teachers to provide lesson plans and course syllabi to parents and post them online (Policy EEP). The board is also creating a formal process for parents to request a review of instructional materials (Policy EFA).
How to Secure It
AMPLIFY THE WIN: Contact the RISD Board to thank them for adopting new transparency policies under Item IV.I. ‘Thank you for strengthening parental rights by making lesson plans and instructional materials accessible. This is the standard all Texas school districts should follow.’
✅ Why It Matters: Empowers Parents
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