|
Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming PINE TREE ISD agenda and found 5 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
|
Adopting Policy from Anti-Taxpayer Lobby Group
The board is voting to adopt policy updates from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) as part of the consent agenda. TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobbying organization that often works against property tax relief and parental rights at the state capitol.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Pine Tree ISD Board of Trustees. ‘I demand Consent Item 12.E be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve to know who supports adopting policies from an organization that lobbies against our interests.’
💰 Impact: Entrenching Lobbyist Influence
|
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
|
Potential ‘Golden Parachute’ for Departing Superintendent
The board is set to approve a ‘Superintendent Emeritus/Transition Agreement’ without disclosing the financial terms. These agreements can function as costly severance packages, paying a former employee a full salary for minimal work, with the cost hidden from taxpayers until after the vote.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Pine Tree ISD Board of Trustees before the vote on Item 15. ‘What is the total taxpayer cost of the Superintendent Emeritus agreement? The full contract must be published online before you vote.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Payout
|
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
|
Bundled Vote on Undisclosed Contracts Over $50,000
The board plans to approve all contracts over $50,000 in a single vote on the consent agenda, with no details provided about the vendors or services. This practice hides significant spending from public scrutiny and prevents discussion on individual high-cost items.
Response
PULL FROM CONSENT: Contact the Pine Tree ISD Board of Trustees. ‘I demand Consent Item 12.C be pulled from the Consent Agenda. Each contract over $50,000 must be listed with its vendor and purpose, and voted on separately.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Spending
|
| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
|
Vague AI ‘Code of Ethics’ Could Impact Student Data
The district is adopting an ‘Artifical Intelligence Code of Ethics’ without providing the text of the policy for public review. This could have major implications for student data privacy, surveillance, and how technology is used in the classroom, but the details are hidden from the public.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) for Item 11 to determine what data will be collected and what rights parents have. Email the board: ‘The proposed AI Code of Ethics must be made public for review before any vote.’
💰 Impact: Student Data Privacy Risks
|
| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
|
Vague ‘Improvement Plans’ May Hide Ideological Agendas
The board is set to approve district and campus ‘Improvement Plans’ without attaching the documents to the public agenda. These plans are often where districts embed controversial curricula, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, or DEI initiatives outside of normal policy review.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attachments for Item 8 in the official agenda (linked above) to see if these plans include spending on SEL, DEI, or other non-academic consultants. Email the board: ‘Please publish the full text of the Improvement Plans online before the vote on Item 8.’
💰 Impact: Politicized Classrooms
|
|
|
“Freedom, Prosperity &
Opportunity”
TPPF is a conservative think tank whose mission is to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise in Texas and the nation.
Contribute to the mission
Powered by Sentinel Engine |