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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming HAYS CISD agenda. There are 7 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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District to Pay $3.6M to TASB Lobbying Affiliate
Hidden in a list of “Annual Costs,” the district plans to approve a $3.6 million payment to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Risk Management Fund. While this is for insurance services, it sends millions of taxpayer dollars to an organization that actively lobbies the Texas Legislature against parental rights, school choice, and property tax relief.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item K.5.b, taxpayers should not be forced to fund TASB, an organization that lobbies against our interests. Please pull this item for a separate discussion and roll-call vote, and direct staff to find an alternative for risk management services.’
💰 Impact: $3.6M to Lobbying Affiliate
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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District Claims Inability to Meet School Safety Law
The district is voting to declare a “good cause exception” to the state law requiring an armed officer at every campus, citing a lack of qualified personnel. This means some schools will not have the level of security mandated by the Texas Legislature following the Uvalde tragedy.
Response
DEMAND A DETAILED PLAN: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item K.2, what is the specific alternative plan for each campus that will not have an armed officer? Parents deserve to know the security standard for their child’s school before you vote.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Campus Security
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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District Seeks to Sidestep State Grievance Law
The district is using its “District of Innovation” status to exempt itself from a state law (TEC Chapter 26A) that sets timelines and procedures for parent and employee grievances. This move gives the district total control over the complaint process, potentially weakening accountability and parent rights.
Response
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item K.3, why is the district exempting itself from state law on grievances? Parents and employees deserve the protections and clear timelines established by the Legislature. Vote NO on this DOI amendment.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Parent/Employee Rights
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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District to Spend $2.6M in Bond Interest on Fleet Vehicles
The district plans to spend over $2.6 million from interest earned on 2025 bond funds to purchase 43 new fleet vehicles. While some vehicles are high-mileage, using bond interest for operational costs like vehicle replacement, instead of paying down debt, is a questionable use of taxpayer funds.
Response
DEMAND FISCAL DISCIPLINE: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item K.5.e, bond interest should be used to pay down debt, not for operational fleet purchases. Please explain why this $2.6M isn’t being used to provide direct relief to taxpayers.’
💰 Impact: $2.6M (Diverted from Debt Service)
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
The Board is set to adopt its official legislative priorities for the next session of the Texas Legislature. This agenda item commits the district to a specific lobbying platform, but the actual priorities are not detailed in the provided documents.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file ‘260928 BTS ACTION – Legislative Priorities’ attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether the district plans to lobby for higher taxes, against parental rights, or against educational freedom.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Agenda
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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District to Approve Special Tax Break for Corporation
The district is considering a “Payment in Lieu of Taxes” (PILOT) agreement for ENF Technology, allowing the company to avoid inventory taxes by creating a Foreign Trade Zone. While the company will make a payment to offset the loss, these special deals create an uneven playing field and are less transparent than the normal tax system.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item K.9, taxpayers deserve to know if the proposed PILOT agreement makes the district 100% whole. Will this special deal for one company result in any lost revenue, now or in the future?’
💰 Impact: Corporate Welfare
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 8) |
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Hays CISD Proposes Tax Rate Below No-New-Revenue Level
The Board is set to adopt a total property tax rate of $1.14, which is lower than the prior year’s rate of $1.1546 and below the calculated “no-new-revenue” rate. This action will result in a lower tax bill for the median homeowner, providing direct relief to taxpayers.
How to Secure It
SECURE THE WIN: Show up to thank the Board for adopting a tax rate below the no-new-revenue level. Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Thank you for proposing a tax rate in Item K.8 that provides real relief to taxpayers. Please vote YES and make this the new standard for fiscal responsibility.’
✅ Why It Matters: Taxpayer Savings
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