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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming DEW 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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Board to Appoint New Trustee, Bypassing Voters
Following a trustee’s resignation, the board is moving to appoint a replacement directly rather than calling a special election. This allows the sitting board members to hand-pick a colleague, denying citizens their right to vote for their representative. The appointee will then have the advantage of incumbency in the next election.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: Sign up for public comment on Item 5. Email the board: ‘Do not appoint a replacement for Position 5. Honor the voters by calling a special election to fill the vacancy and let the community choose its representative.’
💰 Impact: Loss of voter representation.
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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Tax Increase Proposed to Pay for Higher Debt Costs
The board is voting on a debt service tax rate that “exceeds the District’s minimum debt service tax rate.” This means the portion of your property tax bill dedicated to paying off the district’s debt is set to increase beyond the legally required minimum, leading to a higher overall tax bill for property owners.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Attend the public hearing on the tax rate. Email the board: ‘Why is the district proposing a debt service tax rate higher than the minimum required under Item 17? Explain the necessity for this increase before the vote.’
💰 Impact: Increased property tax levy for debt payments.
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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Funding a Lobby Group with Insurance Premiums
The board is considering an insurance proposal from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). While providing insurance, TASB is also one of the most powerful lobby groups in Austin, often working against property tax relief, parental rights, and school choice. This contract uses local tax dollars to financially support their lobbying operations.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the board: ‘Regarding Item 12, please provide the total cost and confirm if the district has explored insurance providers who do not use our premiums to lobby against taxpayers. I request a roll-call vote on this item.’
💰 Impact: Tax dollars funding a lobby group that may oppose taxpayer interests.
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Policy Changes Hidden in Student Handbook
The board is reviewing the 2026-2027 Student Handbook and Code of Conduct. These documents are often where controversial policies regarding parental rights, student discipline (such as ‘restorative practices’), or gender identity are quietly introduced. The proposed handbooks have not been made public with the agenda.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Email the board: ‘Please publicly post the proposed Student Handbook and Code of Conduct for Items 8 and 9 well in advance of the meeting so parents can review any changes before you vote.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed policy changes affecting parental authority and student discipline.
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Discussion on Federal Funding and its Hidden Costs
The board will discuss the impact of federal funding on the new budget. Federal grants, like the COVID-era ESSER funds, often come with strings attached that can lead to a ‘fiscal cliff’—hiring staff or starting programs with temporary money that local taxpayers are later forced to fund permanently.
Response
Monitor: Pay attention to the discussion on Item 15. Ask the board to identify any new positions or recurring programs in the budget that are dependent on temporary federal funds and to present a plan for what happens when that money runs out.
💰 Impact: Future unfunded liabilities for programs started with temporary federal grants.
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