|
Here is what our monitoring surfaced across 135 districts between Sep 23, 2026 and Sep 30, 2026.
The Week in Brief
This week, many school boards focused on finances, with numerous votes on property tax rates and new bond debt. Another common theme was the use of taxpayer funds for lobbying groups. A major win came from Clear Creek ISD, which proposed a tax rate below the no-new-revenue rate. Residents in districts like Klein ISD and Rio Grande City Grulla ISD should watch for key tax rate votes in the coming days.
Patterns This Week
|
4 districts
Tax Rates and Bond Debt on the Agenda
Many districts are holding hearings and voting on property tax rates, with several proposing increases or preparing for new bond debt.
TEXARKANA ISD · NORTHSIDE ISD · KLEIN ISD · DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD
|
|
4 districts
Using Public Funds for Lobbying
Districts continue to appoint delegates, adopt policies, and pay for conventions associated with lobbying groups like TASB.
LONGVIEW ISD · LORENA ISD · SAN PERLITA ISD · KILGORE ISD
|
✓ Wins
|
Major Win (Level 9)
District Proposes Tax Rate Below No-New-Revenue Rate
CLEAR CREEK ISD · Galveston County, TX · Sep 28, 2026
The Board is proposing a 2026 property tax rate of $0.9690. This rate is substantially lower than the calculated no-new-revenue rate of $1.116639, representing a significant act of fiscal restraint and a direct savings for taxpayers compared to what the district could legally levy.
|
|
Major Win (Level 9)
District Accelerates Debt Payoff to Save Taxpayer Money
NORTHSIDE ISD · Bexar County, TX · Sep 29, 2026
In a fiscally responsible move, the board in August approved a debt service tax rate specifically designed to pay off existing district debt ahead of schedule. This proactive measure will save taxpayers significant money in future interest payments.
|
|
Major Win (Level 8)
District Certifies Compliance with State Ban on DEI
GROOM ISD · Carson County, TX · Sep 28, 2026
The Groom ISD board is voting to formally certify its compliance with state law (Texas Education Code § 39.008 / Senate Bill 12) that prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) roles and programs. This is a positive step ensuring the district remains focused on core academics and avoids taxpayer-funded political activism.
|
|
Major Win (Level 8)
District Certifies Compliance with Anti-DEI Law
HURST-EULESS-BEDFORD ISD · Tarrant County, TX · Sep 28, 2026
The district is holding a public hearing and will vote to certify its compliance with state law (SB 12) that prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and practices. This is a positive step in ensuring the district remains focused on academics and accountable to state law.
|
|
Major Win (Level 8)
District to Save $4.7M by Refinancing Debt
CLEAR CREEK ISD · Galveston County, TX · Sep 28, 2026
The Board is authorizing the issuance of refunding bonds to refinance existing debt from 2016 and 2018. This action is projected to save taxpayers over $4.7 million in future interest payments, demonstrating responsible financial management.
|
Watch List
|
ALERT (Level 10)
School Board to Set 2026 Property Tax Rate
RIO GRANDE CITY GRULLA ISD · Starr County, TX · Sep 30, 2026
The school board is scheduled to vote on and adopt the property tax rate for 2026. This single vote will directly determine the size of the property tax bill for every homeowner and business in the district.
|
|
ALERT (Level 10)
District Proposes Tax Hike Above No-New-Revenue Rate
KLEIN ISD · Harris County, TX · Oct 5, 2026
The Board will vote on a proposed 2026 property tax rate of $1.01190. While this is the same rate as last year, it is significantly higher than the no-new-revenue rate of $0.99808, which would be required to prevent tax bills from increasing on existing properties due to rising appraisals.
|
|
ALERT (Level 9)
School Board to Rescind and Re-Vote on 2026 Property Tax Rate
CENTRAL ISD · Angelina County, TX · Sep 30, 2026
The Central ISD board is holding a special 7:30 AM meeting to rescind a previously adopted tax rate and immediately re-vote on a new one. This highly unusual maneuver suggests a potential attempt to pass a higher property tax rate than was previously set, increasing the burden on homeowners.
|
|
ALERT (Level 9)
Public Hearing on 2026 Property Tax Rate
RIO GRANDE CITY GRULLA ISD · Starr County, TX · Sep 30, 2026
The district is holding a public hearing to set the 2026 property tax rate. This is the single most important meeting for taxpayers to influence their tax bill, as any rate adopted above the ‘no-new-revenue’ rate constitutes a tax increase, regardless of the rate itself.
|
|
ALERT (Level 9)
Board to Vote on New Property Tax Rate
WINK-LOVING ISD · Winkler County, TX · Sep 30, 2026
The board will vote to set the property tax rate for the 2026-2027 year. The agenda does not state whether the board will adopt the no-new-revenue rate, which would prevent the average homeowner’s tax bill from increasing, or if they plan to enact a tax hike.
|
Week at a Glance
|
|
|
305
Concerns
-265 vs prior
|
|
| Governance |
100 |
-76 vs prior |
| Financial |
99 |
-103 vs prior |
| Ideological |
68 |
-45 vs prior |
| External Legislation |
38 |
-41 vs prior |
Most Active Counties
| Travis County, TX |
17 |
| Dallas County, TX |
16 |
| Harris County, TX |
15 |
| Nueces County, TX |
14 |
| Tarrant County, TX |
12 |
|