|
Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming MONTE ALTO ISD agenda. There are 6 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
|
School Board to Vote on Property Tax Hike
The board is voting on the 2026-2027 tax rate, including a specific resolution to approve an ‘increased interest and sinking (I&S) tax rate.’ The I&S rate is used to pay off district debt. An increase here means a direct hike in the property tax bills for every homeowner and business in Monte Alto ISD.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: Show up on August 26th and sign up to speak against any tax rate higher than the ‘no-new-revenue’ rate. Contact the board and demand they hold the line on property taxes. A recorded vote on Item 9.B and 9.C is essential.
💰 Impact: Direct increase to local property tax bills.
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
|
Public Comment Capped at 15 Minutes Total
The agenda states that the total time for all public comments combined will not exceed fifteen minutes. This policy can be used to silence residents on controversial issues like tax increases by cutting off speakers after the arbitrary time limit is reached, regardless of how many people signed up to speak.
Response
DEMAND TO BE HEARD: Contact the board and demand they remove the 15-minute total time limit for public comment. Every taxpayer who follows the rules and signs up to speak deserves to be heard by their elected officials.
💰 Impact: Suppression of public input and accountability.
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
|
Secret Library Book List on Consent Agenda
The board plans to approve a new list of library books for purchase without making the list public. This item is bundled in the consent agenda, designed for quick passage with no discussion. Parents and taxpayers have a right to see which books are being bought with their money before the vote.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the board and demand Item 8.I be pulled from the consent agenda for a separate discussion. Ask them to publish the full list of proposed books online immediately so parents can review it before the vote.
💰 Impact: Lack of transparency in curriculum and library materials.
|
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
|
Lobby Group TASB Present at Board Meeting
A representative from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) is being featured at the meeting. TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobby group that frequently opposes property tax relief, parental rights, and educational freedom at the Texas Legislature. This confirms the district’s ongoing financial relationship with this political organization.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the board and ask for the total amount of taxpayer dollars paid to TASB in annual dues and fees. Ask them to end their membership and stop funding political lobbying with local money.
💰 Impact: District dues paid to TASB for political lobbying.
|
| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
|
District to Approve Teach for America Contract
The board is voting to approve a contract with Teach for America (TFA) for over $10,000. The details of the contract, including the full cost and the number of teachers, are not disclosed in the agenda. TFA is a national organization that can bring its own ideological training into local schools, often at a high cost to taxpayers.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the board before the vote. Ask for the full contract, the total cost to the district, the number of TFA teachers being hired, and what oversight the district has over their training and classroom conduct.
💰 Impact: Over $10,000, plus potential for mission drift.
|
| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
|
Vague Grant Writing Contract on Consent Agenda
The board is set to approve a ‘Grant Writing Service Contract’ on the consent agenda, meaning it will likely pass without discussion. The agenda does not name the vendor, the cost, or the types of grants they will pursue. This could lead to the district chasing federal grants with ideological strings attached, creating long-term costs for local taxpayers after the grant money runs out.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the board and ask for Item 8.G to be pulled from the consent agenda. Request the name of the vendor, the full cost of the contract, and a policy ensuring the board reviews all grant applications for ideological mandates and long-term financial obligations.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed consultant fees and future unfunded mandates.
|
|
|
“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 |