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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming DECATUR ISD agenda and found 5 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 10) |
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District to Vote on Secret Legislative Lobbying Agenda
The Board will vote to approve its official ‘Legislative Priorities,’ which dictates what the district will lobby for at the Texas Legislature. However, these priorities have not been made public in the agenda, preventing taxpayers from seeing what their money will be used to advocate for or against.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: This is a critical transparency failure. Show up and demand the Board postpone the vote on Item 11.C until the full text of the proposed Legislative Priorities is published for public review. Contact the District Office: ‘Taxpayers have a right to see the district’s lobbying agenda before you vote on it.’
💰 Impact: Secret Lobbying Agenda
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Board to Pre-Approve Undisclosed TASB Contract
The administration is asking the Board to delegate authority to the Superintendent to sign a future fuel contract with the TASB Fuel Cooperative. This is a blank check for an unseen contract with an organization (TASB) that actively lobbies against taxpayer interests like property tax relief and parental rights.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Board via the District Office (see Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Pull Consent Item 9.D for a separate vote. The Board should never pre-approve a contract it hasn’t seen, especially with a political lobbying group like TASB.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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‘Turnaround Plan’ Hires Undisclosed Consultants
The board will vote on a ‘Turnaround Plan’ for Carson Elementary. While the plan has operational details, the agenda documents state it involves ‘Funds allocated towards consultant fees’ without naming the consultant, the cost, or the contract terms.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the District Office (see Official Agenda link): ‘Regarding Item 11.B, who is the consultant for the Carson Elementary plan, what is the total cost to taxpayers, and what are the specific deliverables? Publish the contract before the vote.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Consultant Fees
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Board to Appoint Health Curriculum Committee
The Board will appoint members to the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), a group with significant influence over health and sex education curriculum recommendations. Parents should be aware of who is being appointed to this committee and be prepared to monitor its activities.
Response
MONITOR & ENGAGE: Contact the District Office (see Official Agenda link) to get the list of proposed SHAC members for Item 11.A. Ask how the district ensures a diversity of parent perspectives are represented, not just rubber stamps for the administration.
💰 Impact: Curriculum Changes
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✅ Wins for Taxpayers
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Win (LEVEL 5) |
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District Earns ‘Superior’ Financial Rating
Decatur ISD has received a rating of ‘A’ for Superior Achievement from the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This is the highest possible rating, indicating strong financial management and accountability with taxpayer dollars.
How to Lock It In
AMPLIFY THE WIN: Show up to the public hearing on Item 7.A to thank the Board and administration for their fiscal stewardship. Getting this positive achievement on the public record encourages continued excellence and sets a standard for other districts.
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