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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming MARFA ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Board to Create “Unassigned” Slush Fund
The board will vote to ‘uncommit’ funds previously designated for specific purposes and move them into a general ‘unassigned’ balance. This reduces budget transparency, making it harder for taxpayers to track how their money is spent and easier for the district to fund pet projects without public scrutiny.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Marfa ISD board. ‘Regarding Item VII.B, I oppose reclassifying committed funds to ‘unassigned.’ Taxpayers deserve a transparent budget where funds are clearly designated. Vote NO on creating this slush fund.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Budget Transparency
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Vote on Undisclosed District “Improvement Plan”
The board is scheduled to approve the 2026-2027 District Improvement Plan, but the plan itself was not included in the public agenda packet. These plans can be used to introduce controversial curricula or programs like Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) without parental review.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file for Item VII.A attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to see what is in the ‘Improvement Plan.’ Contact the board and demand the vote be postponed until the public has had time to review the full document.
💰 Impact: Hidden Curricular Changes
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Hidden Spending on Consent Agenda
The ‘Consent Agenda’ bundles ‘Check Payments’ and ‘Budget Amendments’ for a single vote with no public discussion. These items could contain payments to lobbying groups that work against taxpayer interests (like TASB) or shift funds to controversial programs, all without specific board approval.
Response
INVESTIGATE & DEMAND A VOTE: Open the files for Items VI.B and VI.C in the Official Agenda. If you see a questionable payment, email the board: ‘Pull Items VI.B and VI.C from the consent agenda for a separate discussion and recorded vote.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Spending
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Board Considers Changing Meeting Dates
The board is discussing changing its regular monthly meeting dates. Such changes can sometimes be used to decrease public attendance and scrutiny by moving meetings to less convenient times for working parents and taxpayers.
Response
DEMAND JUSTIFICATION: Contact the Marfa ISD board. ‘Regarding Item VII.C, please state publicly the reason for changing meeting dates and ensure any new schedule does not make it harder for working parents and taxpayers to attend.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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