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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming SOUTH SAN ANTONIO ISD agenda and found 7 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 10) |
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District Prepares for Tax Increase Election (VATRE)
The district is presenting a required ‘Efficiency Audit,’ which is a mandatory step before it can hold a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE). This is a clear signal that the board is preparing to ask voters to approve a property tax rate increase.
Response
SHOW UP AND SPEAK UP: This ‘efficiency audit’ under Presentations Item 5 is the first step toward a tax hike. Attend the meeting and ask the board during public comment: ‘Will the board commit to adopting the no-new-revenue tax rate instead of pursuing a tax-hike VATRE?’
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Controversial Books Proposed for School Libraries
Buried in the consent agenda, the district plans to approve a list of new library books. The list includes politically charged titles such as ‘Stacey speaks up’ by Stacey Abrams and ‘Becoming Who We Are: Real Stories About Growing Up Trans.’
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the board (contact info on district website): ‘I demand Consent Item 7, Campus Library Book Purchases, be pulled for a separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Parents deserve to know where you stand on purchasing these politically-charged books for our children.’
💰 Impact: Politicizing School Libraries
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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District Using Materials from Taxpayer-Funded Lobby Group
The district is using materials from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) for its board training report. TASB is an association that uses taxpayer dollars from member districts to lobby the Texas Legislature, often for policies that increase taxes and reduce transparency.
Response
ASK THE BOARD: During ‘Citizens to be Heard,’ ask ‘How much in taxpayer money did South San Antonio ISD pay in dues to TASB last year?’ Demand the district withdraw its membership from organizations that lobby against taxpayer interests.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Fees
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Federal Grant Application Hides Local Cost
The board is set to approve a continuing application for a federal Head Start grant. While federal money sounds free, the attached budget shows local taxpayers must provide a ‘Non-Federal Share’ of $800,045 and commit to program requirements that may last long after the grant money is gone.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS on Consent Item 5: Email the board (contact info on district website) and ask: ‘What is the total long-term cost to local taxpayers for the Head Start program after this federal grant expires? Will the district be required to continue funding these positions with local dollars?’
💰 Impact: $800,045 Local Match
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
The board is scheduled to vote on a ‘Budget Amendment’ under the consent agenda, but the attachment detailing the changes was not included in the public packet. These amendments can shift millions of dollars with little public scrutiny.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file for Consent Item 10 attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether it contains hidden spending or financial transfers. Demand the board publish the full details before any vote.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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District Moves to Reduce Competitive Bidding
The board plans to double the purchasing threshold for competitive bidding from $50,000 to $100,000. While a new state law allows this, it means more contracts up to $100,000 can be awarded without a formal, public bidding process, reducing transparency and competition.
Response
PULL CONSENT ITEM 11: Email the board (contact info on district website): ‘Please pull Consent Item 11 for discussion. While legally permitted, doubling the bidding threshold reduces transparency. Will the board commit to the highest standard of transparency by keeping the threshold at $50,000?’
💰 Impact: Reduced Competitive Bidding
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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District to Pay $11,000 Fee Per Teacher to Foreign Recruiter
The district is entering an agreement with International Alliance Group, LLC to recruit foreign teachers on J-1 visas. The contract requires the district to pay the company a flat administrative fee of $11,000 for every teacher hired through the program.
Response
PULL CONSENT ITEM 8: Email the board (contact info on district website): ‘Please pull Consent Item 8 for discussion. What is the total expected cost of this program, and how does this $11,000 per-teacher fee compare to the cost of recruiting and hiring locally?’
💰 Impact: $11,000 Fee Per Teacher
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