|
Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming WACO ISD agenda. There are 7 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
|
District to Approve $1.5 Million in Consultant Contracts
Item 7.H bundles over $1.5 million in spending for various consultants and contracted services, primarily for Special Education. Placing such a large sum on the consent agenda limits public discussion and scrutiny of whether these services are necessary or could be performed by district staff.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link for details): ‘I demand Consent Item 7.H be pulled for separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve to know why we are spending over $1.5 million on outside consultants.’
💰 Impact: $1,516,589
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
|
Board to Restrict $20 Million of Taxpayer Savings
The board will vote on a resolution in Item 7.L to move $20 million from the “unassigned” general fund balance to a “committed” fund for future staff compensation. This reduces the district’s flexibility and makes the available fund balance appear smaller, which can be used to justify future tax increases.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link for details): ‘Regarding Item 7.L, why is the district tying up $20 million in reserves? Keep these funds unassigned to maintain flexibility and protect the taxpayer. Vote NO on this resolution.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Fiscal Flexibility
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
|
Strategic Plan Focuses on “Discipline Disproportionality”
The district’s Strategic Plan, presented in Item 8, sets a goal to reduce “Discipline Disproportionality.” This is an equity-focused metric that often leads to pressure on teachers and principals to ignore misbehavior from certain student groups to achieve statistical parity, potentially making classrooms less safe for all students.
Response
ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link for details): ‘Regarding the Strategic Plan in Item 8, will the focus on “Discipline Disproportionality” lead to unequal enforcement of the student code of conduct? Safety and order should be the priority, not statistics.’
💰 Impact: Politicized Discipline Policies
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
|
District Pays for Lobbying with Taxpayer Dollars
The meeting minutes from August 20 (Agenda Item 7.P.1) confirm the district renewed its agreement with the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobbying group that frequently opposes legislative reforms aimed at increasing transparency, empowering parents, and controlling property taxes.
Response
DEMAND AN EXIT: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link for details): ‘I see from the August 20 minutes you renewed with TASB. Why are my tax dollars funding a lobby group that works against parents and taxpayers? Please put ending the TASB membership on a future agenda.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Fees
|
| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
|
Pre-Approval of Unspecified “Educational Consultants”
Item 7.D asks the board to approve more vendors for a pre-approved list for “Educational Consulting, Professional Development, and Other Student-Based Contracted Services.” This creates a standing pool of consultants that can be hired with less public scrutiny for a vaguely defined range of services, opening the door to wasteful spending.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link for details): ‘Regarding Item 7.D, instead of a blank check for consultants, each contract should be evaluated on its own merits. Vote NO on expanding this pre-approved vendor list.’
💰 Impact: Consultant Creep
|
| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
|
Policy Change Shifts Power from Board to Superintendent
A proposed policy update, GKD(LOCAL) in Item 7.M, transfers authority from the elected Board of Trustees to the unelected Superintendent for setting facility use fees and canceling scheduled events. This reduces the accountability of elected officials to the public.
Response
KEEP THE BOARD IN CHARGE: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link for details): ‘Regarding the first reading of GKD(LOCAL) in Item 7.M, authority over fees and facility use should remain with the elected Board, not be delegated to the Superintendent. Please amend this policy to retain Board oversight.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Accountability
|
| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
|
Library Book List Includes Politicized Titles
The proposed library book purchase list in Item 7.N includes titles such as “Hip-Hop and Social Justice” and “Climate is Just the Start.” These books appear to promote specific political viewpoints on social justice and climate change, rather than providing neutral, foundational education.
Response
FOCUS ON THE BASICS: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link for details): ‘Regarding the library book list in Item 7.N, please remove politically charged titles. Our libraries should focus on classic literature and foundational knowledge, not activism.’
💰 Impact: Politicizing the Library
|
|
|
“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 |