|
Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming WICHITA FALLS ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
|
Undisclosed ‘One Time Payment’ on Agenda
The agenda includes an action item for a ‘One Time Payment’ with no dollar amount, no recipient, and no explanation provided. This lack of transparency makes it impossible for taxpayers to know how their money is being spent and is an invitation for abuse.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Board of Trustees. ‘Item X.C, ‘One Time Payment,’ must be pulled from the agenda and re-posted with a specific recipient, dollar amount, and purpose. The board cannot vote on a blank check.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
|
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
|
Cost-Plus Disaster Contract Locks in High Rates
The district is approving a five-year, pre-disaster contract with Cotton Commercial that uses a ‘cost-plus’ pricing model. This model, which adds layers of markups (e.g., cost + 10% overhead + 10% profit) and extra fees, can lead to inflated costs during an emergency when oversight is difficult.
Response
DEMAND A BETTER DEAL: Contact the Board regarding Item X.E. ‘Why is the district locking into a five-year ‘cost-plus’ contract for disaster recovery? The board should seek a competitively bid, fixed-rate agreement to protect taxpayers from price gouging during a crisis.’
💰 Impact: Inflated Emergency Spending
|
| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
|
Vague ‘Artistic and Design Consulting’ Contract
The board is set to approve a purchase for ‘Artistic and Design Consulting’ from a vendor called ‘Inventionland.’ The agenda provides no contract, no dollar amount, and no description of the services, preventing public scrutiny of this spending.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Board of Trustees regarding Item X.D. ‘What is the cost and what are the specific deliverables for the ‘Inventionland’ consulting contract? This item should not be approved without the contract being made public.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
|
| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
|
Federal Grant Strings Attached to School Construction
The district is moving forward with an elementary school construction project funded by a federal grant from the ‘Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA).’ Federal grants often come with strings attached, such as data sharing or other mandates that outlast the funding and create new costs for local taxpayers.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Board of Trustees before the vote on Item X.A. ‘What are the long-term conditions, data-sharing requirements, and compliance costs associated with the DoWEA federal grant for the Sheppard Elementary project? Taxpayers need to know the full cost before we accept federal money.’
💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandates
|
|
|
“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 |