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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming MARATHON ISD agenda. There are 3 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
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Tax Rate Vote Lacks Key Financial Data
The board is scheduled to adopt the 2026 property tax rate. While a resolution with the proposed rate of $0.7202 is attached, the crucial ‘Tax Rate Calculation Worksheet’ was not provided in the public documents. This worksheet is the only way for taxpayers to see the ‘no-new-revenue’ rate and determine if the proposed rate will increase the total amount of taxes collected from the community. Adopting a tax rate without publishing this comparison hides a potential tax hike.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Marathon ISD Board of Trustees. Ask them to immediately publish the full ‘Tax Rate Calculation Worksheet’ online before the August 26th meeting. Taxpayers deserve to know the no-new-revenue rate and the voter-approval rate before the board votes on Item VIII.
💰 Impact: Potential property tax increase above the no-new-revenue rate.
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Hidden in Fine Print
Hidden within the ‘Check Payments’ report on the consent agenda are payments to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) for $265.00 and the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) for $245.00. These organizations use local tax dollars to lobby the state legislature, often against policies that would increase transparency, empower parents, or provide property tax relief. Bundling these payments in the consent agenda avoids a public discussion and a recorded vote.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Marathon ISD Board of Trustees. ‘I demand Item IX.b, Check Payments, be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve to know where each trustee stands on using our money for political lobbying.’
💰 Impact: $510 in dues this month, unknown annual total.
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Win (LEVEL 8) |
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Board to Adopt Policies Banning DEI and Social Transitioning
The board is voting on ‘TASB policy update 127,’ which incorporates major protections for students and taxpayers. The proposed changes would prohibit employees from engaging in ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) duties,’ ban employees from assisting a student with ‘social transitioning,’ and forbid the use of race, sex, or ethnicity in selecting students for the Gifted & Talented program. This is a significant local victory for parental rights and academic integrity.
How to Secure It
SHOW UP & SUPPORT: Attend the meeting on August 26th and sign up for public comment to thank the board for adopting TASB Policy Update 127 (Item XII). Publicly supporting good policy encourages boards to stand firm against future activist pressure.
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