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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming LASARA ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Key Tax Decisions Hidden on Consent Agenda
The board plans to approve the 2026 Appraisal Roll and Certified Tax Roll as part of a bundled ‘Consent Agenda’ vote. These items are the foundation of every property owner’s tax bill and should be discussed and voted on individually for full transparency.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Lasara ISD board and demand that Items 4.F and 4.G be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve to see where each board member stands on the tax roll.
💰 Impact: Reduced Transparency
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Federal Grant Program with Potential Strings
The board is discussing the budget for the federal GEAR UP grant program. While aimed at college readiness, these federal programs often come with data-sharing mandates and create new staff positions that local taxpayers are forced to fund long after the grant money is gone.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the board regarding Item 9. Ask for a full accounting of the GEAR UP grant’s requirements: ‘What data is shared with the federal government, and what is the district’s plan to fund these programs and staff when the grant expires?’
💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandates
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague $25,000+ Data System Contract
The board is set to approve a contract with Region One ESC for the ‘Ascender’ system, costing over $25,000. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is not attached, leaving taxpayers in the dark about potential data-sharing agreements or other long-term obligations.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Contact the district office before the meeting and ask for a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding for Item 7. Confirm there are no hidden data-sharing provisions or long-term costs before the board votes.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Data-Sharing
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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Undefined Public Comment Time Limits
The agenda’s public comment rules state speakers have ‘___ minutes,’ leaving the time limit undefined and open to arbitrary changes. This lack of a clear, published policy can be used to unexpectedly silence public input.
Response
ASK FOR CLARITY: Contact the district and ask that public comment time limits be clearly defined and published in all future agendas to protect the public’s right to be heard.
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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