Texas Public Policy Foundation Alert: SINTON ISD – Thursday, August 27, 2026

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming SINTON ISD agenda. There are 3 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.

🚨 Alert (LEVEL 10)

Taking on Debt Without Your Vote

📅 Vote Scheduled August 27, 2026

The board is voting to approve a ‘Certificate of Appropriation’ for a ‘lease-purchase agreement’ with a Public Facility Corporation. This is a complex financing scheme that allows the district to take on long-term debt for buildings or other major projects without ever putting it on the ballot for voter approval. Taxpayers are on the hook for these payments for years to come, but they never get a direct say.

Response

PACK THE ROOM: Show up on August 27th and sign up for public comment. Demand the board explain the total cost of this lease-purchase agreement and why this debt was not put before the voters in a bond election. Contact the Sinton ISD board and demand they vote NO on Item IV.4.

💰 Impact: The total long-term debt obligation of the lease-purchase agreement, which is not disclosed in the agenda.

⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7)

Tax Rate Increase for Debt Payments

📅 Discussion Scheduled August 27, 2026

The board is discussing the 2026 tax rate and is specifically considering adopting a debt service (I&S) tax rate that is ‘above the minimum’ required. This means they plan to collect more money from taxpayers for debt payments than is necessary for this year’s obligations. The district needs to publicly justify why they are over-taxing residents instead of sticking to the minimum required rate.

Response

DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Sinton ISD board before the August 27th meeting. Ask them to publicly explain, regarding Item V.1, exactly how much more in taxes will be collected by setting the I&S rate ‘above the minimum’ and what the specific purpose is for these extra funds.

💰 Impact: The dollar amount of the tax levy increase resulting from setting the debt service rate higher than necessary.

🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6)

Hiring a Costly Search Firm in Secret

📅 Vote Scheduled August 27, 2026

The board is meeting in a closed-door executive session to discuss hiring a superintendent search firm and will vote to approve the contract immediately upon returning to open session. These consultant contracts can cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. By discussing this behind closed doors and voting immediately after, the public has no opportunity to see the contract or its price tag before the district is locked in.

Response

DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Sinton ISD board before the August 27th meeting. Urge them to postpone the vote on Item VII.2 until the proposed engagement agreement and its full cost are posted publicly for taxpayer review. A decision of this cost should not be made after a secret session.

💰 Impact: The total cost of the search firm’s contract, which is not disclosed on the agenda.

District Info

Address

322 S ARCHER, SINTON, TX 78387

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