Texas Public Policy Foundation Alert: TEMPLE ISD – Wednesday, September 23, 2026 [f7f04bc2]

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming TEMPLE ISD agenda. There are 4 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.

⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7)

District Pays Lobbyists Who Work Against Taxpayers

📅 October 8-11

The district is sending staff to the TASA/TASB conference in October. These organizations use taxpayer money to lobby the Texas Legislature for higher property taxes, to oppose parental rights, and to fight against education freedom.

Response

Contact the Temple ISD board and ask them to justify spending tax dollars to support organizations that lobby against taxpayer interests. ‘Why is Temple ISD funding TASA and TASB when they actively lobby for policies that harm taxpayers and parents?’

💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6)

Vague Language Hides True Impact of Tax Rate Vote

📅 Scheduled Action

The minutes from the September 14th meeting state the board adopted the 2026 tax rate, but fail to clearly state what the rate is or how it compares to the no-new-revenue rate. This lack of transparency makes it impossible for a taxpayer to know if their property tax burden is increasing.

Response

Contact the District Office and demand they publish a clear, simple comparison of the newly adopted 2026 tax rate against the no-new-revenue rate, showing the real dollar impact on the average homeowner’s tax bill.

💰 Impact: Potential Property Tax Increase

ALERT (LEVEL 4)

Requires Verification

Undisclosed Policy Changes in ‘Manual Update’

📅 Scheduled Action

The board is reviewing “Regulations Resource Manual Update 73.” These bulk updates can be used to quietly introduce significant policy changes affecting students and parents, but the district has not provided the text of the update for public review ahead of the meeting.

Response

INVESTIGATE: Contact the District Office and ask them to post the full text of ‘Regulations Resource Manual Update 73’ online. ‘Please make the text of Agenda Item V.B. public so we can review it before the board discusses it.’

💰 Impact: Undisclosed Policy Changes

✅ Wins to Defend

Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.

Major Win (LEVEL 8)

District Pays Down Debt Early, Saving Taxpayer Money

📅 Scheduled Action

In its September 14th meeting, the board approved a resolution for the ‘defeasance and redemption’ of outstanding district bonds. This is a fiscally responsible move to pay off existing debt ahead of schedule, which will save taxpayers money on future interest payments.

How to Secure It

Thank the board for this fiscally responsible action. Email the board to encourage them to continue looking for opportunities to pay down debt and reduce the burden on taxpayers. This sets a positive example for other districts.

✅ Why It Matters: Taxpayer Savings

District Info

Address

401 SANTA FE WAY, TEMPLE, TX 76501

“Freedom, Prosperity &
Opportunity”

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