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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming WHITE SETTLEMENT ISD agenda and found 5 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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Vote on HVAC Project with No Public Price Tag
Under Item I.4, the Board will vote to approve a ‘Guaranteed Maximum Price’ (GMP) for a districtwide HVAC project. However, the agenda states the cost information is only ‘provided in the handout,’ hiding the total cost from the public agenda and preventing taxpayer scrutiny before the vote.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Board (see district website for contact info): ‘Postpone the vote on Item I.4 until the ‘handout’ with the full cost of the HVAC project is published in the public agenda. Taxpayers deserve to know the price before you approve it.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Construction Costs
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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District Projects $1.1M Budget Deficit
The district’s amended budget under Item H.3 projects a year-end deficit of $1,159,589. This shortfall exists even after accounting for an additional $1 million in state revenue from higher-than-expected student enrollment, putting the district on an unstable financial path that risks future tax hikes or program cuts.
Response
DEMAND A PLAN: Contact the Board (see district website for contact info): ‘Regarding Item H.3, a $1.1M deficit is unsustainable. What is the specific, multi-year plan to balance the budget without raising property taxes?’
💰 Impact: $1.1M Budget Shortfall
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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‘Improvement Plan’ Spends on Consultants, Data Tracking
The Targeted Improvement Plan for Liberty Elementary (Item I.5) commits taxpayer money to outside consultants, including $49,111 for ‘instructALL’ and $7,000 for ‘Ruby Payne’ training. The plan also implements intensive student data collection via ‘Daily Mastery Checks’ and the ‘Instructional Insights App,’ which could lead to student surveillance without clear parental oversight.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Board (see district website for contact info): ‘Regarding Item I.5, what are the specific deliverables for the $56,000 in consultant contracts, and what are the parental opt-out policies for the ‘Instructional Insights App’?’
💰 Impact: $56,111+ in Consultant Fees
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
Item I.3 asks the Board to approve a contract with Buford Thompson Company for ‘Construction Manager At-Risk’ services on the HVAC project. The contract document, which outlines the terms, responsibilities, and compensation structure, is not attached to the public agenda for review.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether it contains hidden costs or unfavorable terms for the taxpayer.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Contract Terms
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
Agenda item G.1.a.1 is titled ‘Federal Report ‘Risk Assessment Scores Announcement’,’ but the report itself is not included in the public agenda packet. Federal reports can come with hidden mandates for data sharing or curriculum changes that create long-term obligations for local taxpayers.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether it contains hidden federal mandates or data sharing agreements.
💰 Impact: Potential Federal Mandates
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