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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming POTTSBORO ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Lobbying Fees Hidden in Consent Agenda
Buried in the ‘Monthly Financial Statements’ under the consent agenda is a check register showing over $10,000 in payments to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobbying group that frequently works against property tax relief and parental rights in Austin. These payments are being approved without a separate discussion or recorded vote.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the board (contact info on district website): ‘I demand Consent Item V.E be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve to know why we are funding TASB’s political lobbying in Austin.’
💰 Impact: $10,350 in Lobbying Fees
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Records Policy Update Requires Scrutiny
The board is voting on Policy CPC(LOCAL) concerning records management. The actual policy text was not included in the public agenda packet, making it impossible to know if this update strengthens or weakens public access to information under the Texas Public Information Act.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file for Item IV.A in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm its contents. Email the board (contact info on district website): ‘Please publish the full text of proposed policy CPC(LOCAL) before the vote so taxpayers can verify it does not restrict our rights under the Texas Public Information Act.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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State Grant May Have Hidden Strings
The district is accepting a ‘Texas Clean School Bus Program Grant.’ While grants can save money upfront, the contract was not attached to the agenda, so taxpayers cannot see the long-term obligations, data-sharing mandates, or potential unfunded liabilities that may be attached.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached to Item IV.B in the Official Agenda (linked above) to review the grant contract. Contact the district office: ‘What are the ongoing obligations for Pottsboro ISD taxpayers after the grant money for the clean school buses runs out?’
💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandates
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✅ Wins for Taxpayers
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 7) |
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District Saves Taxpayers on New Buses
Pottsboro ISD is leveraging a $320,163 state grant from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to purchase three new school buses. This action allows the district to acquire the buses for a net local cost of $151,083, roughly the price of one new bus, saving taxpayers over $300,000.
How to Lock It In
AMPLIFY THE WIN: Show up to thank the Board for using state grant funds to reduce the local burden for capital purchases. Email the board (contact info on district website): ‘Thank you for the fiscally responsible decision on Item IV.D to use grant money for new buses. This is a great example of protecting local taxpayers.’
✅ Why It Matters: Taxpayer Savings: ~$320K
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