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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming ROPES ISD agenda and found 3 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Adopting Lobbyist-Written School Policies
The board plans to adopt new local policies drafted by the TASB Policy Service. TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobbyist group, and their boilerplate policies often serve bureaucratic interests over those of parents and local taxpayers. The actual text of these proposed policy changes was not included in the main agenda packet, preventing public review before the vote.
Response
INVESTIGATE & DEMAND A VOTE: Open the file attached to Item 7.d in the Official Agenda (linked above) to see the proposed changes. Contact the ROPES ISD board: ‘Pull Item 7.d for a separate discussion and a roll-call vote. The public must be able to see the full text of policies drafted by an outside lobbyist group like TASB before they are approved.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Policy Changes
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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District to Hire ‘Strategic Funding’ Consultant
The board will consider an agreement with ‘SummitEd’ for ‘Strategic Funding for Student Opportunities.’ This is likely a contract to hire a consultant to chase federal and state grants, which often come with ideological strings and long-term costs for local taxpayers after the grant money runs out.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the ROPES ISD board before the meeting. Ask: ‘Regarding Item 7.b, what is the cost of the SummitEd contract, and what specific grants will they pursue? The public deserves to see the full agreement and understand any strings attached before you vote.’
💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandates
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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District Endorses Taxpayer-Funded Lobby Group
The board will vote on a resolution to nominate the Superintendent for an award from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). TASB is a lobbyist organization that frequently works against taxpayer interests, such as property tax relief and parental rights, in Austin. This resolution uses district resources to legitimize and strengthen ties with this group.
Response
QUESTION THE PARTNERSHIP: Contact the ROPES ISD board. Ask: ‘Regarding Item 7.c, why is the district spending time and resources to engage with TASB, an organization that lobbies against taxpayer interests in Austin? Please vote no on this resolution.’
💰 Impact: Entanglement with Lobbyists
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