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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming TERRELL ISD agenda. There are 4 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
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District Adopting $4.4 Million Deficit Budget
| 📅 Vote Scheduled August 27, 2026 |
The proposed 2026-2027 budget plans to spend $88.4 million while only taking in $83.9 million in revenue. This creates a $4.47 million deficit that will be covered by draining the district’s savings account (fund balance). This is not a sustainable financial plan and puts taxpayers at risk for future, larger tax increases to cover the shortfall.
Response
SHOW UP & SPEAK UP: Attend the public hearing on August 27th. Email the Board of Trustees: ‘I am concerned about the proposed $4.47 million deficit in the 2026-27 budget. Draining our savings is not a sustainable plan. I urge you to pass a balanced budget that does not spend more than we take in.’
💰 Impact: $4.47 million drained from district savings, risking future financial instability.
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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Tax Increase Proposed at Maximum Level Without Voter Approval
| 📅 Vote Scheduled August 27, 2026 |
The Board is voting on a new tax rate of $1.12780. While this is a slight rate decrease, it is significantly higher than the ‘no-new-revenue’ rate of $1.0929, which is the rate that would bring in the same amount of money as last year. Because of rising property values, the district’s own documents show the tax bill on the median home will increase. The district is proposing the highest rate possible without triggering a voter-approval election.
Response
DEMAND A TRUE TAX CUT: Attend the public hearing on August 27th. Email the Board of Trustees: ‘Adopt the no-new-revenue tax rate of $1.0929. A tax bill that goes up is not a tax cut. Respect the taxpayers and do not adopt the maximum rate allowed without our approval.’
💰 Impact: Higher property tax bills for all homeowners and businesses.
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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Taxpayers on the Hook for Expiring Federal Grants
| 📅 Vote Scheduled August 27, 2026 |
The Board is voting on a resolution to set aside local tax dollars in a ‘Federal Revenue Stabilization’ fund. The stated purpose is to continue ‘instructional services… previously offered with one-time ESSER funds.’ This is an admission that temporary federal grant programs are becoming permanent obligations for local taxpayers, a classic example of the ‘fiscal cliff’ where federal dollars run out and local property taxes are used to fill the gap.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board of Trustees: ‘Regarding the Federal Revenue Stabilization fund in Item 6.B, which specific ESSER-funded programs will now be paid for by local taxpayers, and what is their total annual cost? Taxpayers deserve to know the long-term price tag before you make these programs permanent.’
💰 Impact: Unspecified future costs to continue federal programs after grant money runs out.
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Vote Scheduled on Undisclosed Budget Changes
| 📅 Vote Scheduled August 27, 2026 |
Item 6.A calls for a vote to approve the final budget amendment for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. However, the agenda states the actual amendment document will be ‘provided under separate cover’ and is not attached for public review. The public has no way of knowing what last-minute spending changes are being approved before the vote.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email the Board of Trustees: ‘Postpone the vote on Item 6.A, the final budget amendment. The public has a right to review all documents before a vote. Do not vote on financial matters that have not been made public with the agenda.’
💰 Impact: Lack of public oversight on last-minute spending.
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