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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming NEW BRAUNFELS ISD agenda and found 6 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 10) |
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District Seeks Authority for $225M in Bonds, Including Potentially Costly Refunding
The board is being asked to delegate authority to staff for the sale of up to $225 million in bonds, including $113 million in new voter-approved debt. The proposal includes language that would allow the district to refinance old debt even if it results in a net financial loss for taxpayers, a highly unusual provision that requires public scrutiny.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: This is a critical vote. Email the Board (contact info on district website) and attend the meeting. Ask them to strike the provision in Item 10.A that allows for a ‘net present value loss’ on any refunding deal. ‘Refinancing should save taxpayer money, not cost more. I demand the board remove the authorization for a net-loss refunding from the bond order in Item 10.A.’
💰 Impact: Up to $225M in Bonds; Potential for Costly Refunding
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Architect Fees for Bond Projects Set to Increase
The district is amending its contract with Huckabee & Associates, Inc. due to ‘increases in overall project costs’ for bond construction. This amendment sets new ‘not-to-exceed’ fees totaling over $28 million, reflecting cost overruns that are now being passed on to taxpayers through higher architect fees.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board (contact info on district website) regarding Item 5.A. ‘Why are architect fees increasing? Taxpayers need a full accounting of the project cost overruns that are driving this multi-million dollar amendment with Huckabee & Associates before you approve it.’
💰 Impact: $28M+ in Architect Fees
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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District to Accept $200K Grant with ‘Psychological Safety’ and Data-Sharing Strings
The district is accepting a $200,000 grant from the McKenna Foundation for a three-year ‘Safe and Supported Schools’ initiative focused on ‘psychological safety’. This agreement commits the district to a long-term partnership with external groups and requires sharing district-level performance data, potentially creating unfunded mandates and introducing ideological programs once the grant money is gone.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board (contact info on district website) regarding Item 10.C. ‘What specific curriculum and training will be implemented under the banner of ‘psychological safety’? Please provide a public commitment that no student-level data will be shared and that taxpayers will not be on the hook for funding this program after the grant ends.’
💰 Impact: Data Sharing & Programmatic Strings
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Proposed Board Policy Updates Could Limit Public Comment
The Board is considering updates to its ‘Good Governance Handbook’ that codify rules for public participation. The proposed rules include a noon sign-up deadline on the day of the meeting and allow the board president to reduce a citizen’s speaking time to as little as one minute, potentially limiting the public’s ability to hold the board accountable.
Response
PROTECT PUBLIC ACCESS: Email the Board (contact info on district website) regarding Consent Agenda Item 7.D. ‘Please pull Item 7.D and amend the proposed governance handbook to extend the public comment sign-up deadline and maintain a firm three-minute speaking time to ensure robust community participation.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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District Discusses $1.8M Annual Cost for School Resource Officers
In response to a state mandate, the district is discussing an agreement with the City of New Braunfels to place School Resource Officers on every campus. This agreement comes with a significant price tag of $1.8 million annually from the general fund, a new and recurring cost for local taxpayers.
Response
ASK FOR THE ANALYSIS: This is a discussion item. Email the Board (contact info on district website) before the meeting. ‘Regarding Item 9.D, please provide the public with a cost-benefit analysis comparing the proposed SRO agreement with other options for complying with state law, such as hiring district officers or implementing a school marshal program.’
💰 Impact: $1.8 Million Annually
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✅ Wins for Taxpayers
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Win (LEVEL 6) |
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District Earns ‘A’ Rating for Financial Management
The district has received a ‘Superior Achievement’ A rating from the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) with a score of 94 out of 100. This rating indicates strong financial management and accountability for taxpayer dollars.
How to Lock It In
SECURE AND AMPLIFY THE WIN: Show up to the Public Hearing on Item 6 to thank the Board and district staff for their strong financial stewardship. This ‘A’ rating should be the standard for all school districts in the region.
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