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America First Policy Institute
Local Policy Brief
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| 📅 Tuesday, November 17, 2026 to Calendar |
| 📄 View Official Agenda |
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We reviewed the upcoming agenda for SOUTHWEST ISD and found 4 items with policy significance ahead of the vote.
| PRIORITY (LEVEL 7) |
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Vote on School ‘Turnaround Plans’ Without Public Text
The board is set to approve a ‘Turnaround Plan’ (TAP) and five ‘Targeted Improvement Plans’ (TIP) for six low-performing schools. These state-mandated plans dictate systemic changes to curriculum and instruction, but the full text of the plans is not included in the agenda packet. This prevents public review of significant academic changes affecting multiple campuses before the board’s vote.
Policy Use
PULL THE DOCUMENT: For item IX.A, the district is voting on improvement plans for six schools without providing the text. Immediately request the full TAP and TIP documents from the district office to analyze the specific curriculum and instructional changes before the vote.
Policy Lever: State-Mandated School Improvement
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| WATCH (LEVEL 6) |
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District Approves International Student Trip on US-Mexico Policy
The board is asked to approve an overnight trip to Mexico City for CAST STEM High School students. The trip is described as a ‘leadership experience’ in partnership with the U.S.-Mexico Foundation where students will learn about ‘various issues in U.S.-Mexico policy.’ This represents a district-sanctioned, ideologically-oriented trip focused on international policy.
Policy Use
DOCUMENT: Item V.B.10 involves a district-sponsored international trip with a policy focus. Document the partnership with the U.S.-Mexico Foundation and the trip’s stated purpose for the state implementation tracker.
Policy Lever: International Partnership
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Approval of Secret School Emergency Operations Plan
The board will approve the district’s Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan (MHEOP). The background document explicitly states the plan is not posted for public viewing to protect security information. While security is a valid concern, this practice limits public and parental oversight of the district’s safety and response protocols.
Policy Use
WATCH: Under item VIII.B, the district is approving a non-public emergency plan. Note this as a data point on the trend of limiting transparency for security reasons and re-evaluate if related policy issues arise.
Policy Lever: Transparency Limitation
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✅ Models to Replicate
Local actions worth capturing as model policy.
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| Model Policy (LEVEL 7) |
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Library Book Purchase Process Cites State Transparency Law
The district is purchasing new library materials for two schools, explicitly stating the process aligns with Texas Senate Bill 13 requirements. The background memo confirms a 30-day community review period was provided, allowing parental input before the vote. This represents a cooperative implementation of state-level parental rights and curriculum transparency legislation.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item V.E and its attachment (November-BB-LibraryBooks Purchases) provide a model for implementing state curriculum transparency laws. Capture the process language for AFPI’s model policy file for Texas.
✅ Why It Matters: Curriculum Transparency Compliance
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District Leadership
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11914 DRAGON LN, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78252 |
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America First Policy Institute |