|
Heads up! We have scanned the upcoming agenda for PASADENA ISD. We found 13 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 10) |
|
District Proposes Buying Book by ‘Gender Queer’ Author
The proposed library book list for approval includes ‘Opting out’ by Maia Kobabe, the author of the sexually explicit and controversial graphic novel ‘Gender Queer.’ Placing books by this author in school libraries is a major concern for parents and a clear attempt to introduce radical gender ideology to students.
Recommended Action Plan
PACK THE ROOM: This is a critical threat. Item VII.4 on the Consent Agenda must be pulled for a separate vote. Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org and sign up to speak at least 3 hours in advance: ‘Vote NO on the library materials list until the book ‘Opting out’ by Maia Kobabe is removed. We will not allow materials from the author of ‘Gender Queer’ in our children’s schools.’
💰 Impact: Ideological materials
|
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 9) |
|
Massive $901,402 Technology Purchase from CDW Government
The district has a purchase order for over $900,000 with tech reseller CDW Government, listed under the Technology Division. This massive, vaguely described purchase could be for anything from network infrastructure to a major expansion of student devices, which would significantly increase daily screen time.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK FIRST: This purchase is in the Bid Items attachment (Item VII.3.B). Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org: ‘Regarding the $901,402 purchase order to CDW Government, what specific hardware or software is being purchased? If this includes student devices, how will this impact daily screen time, and what is the educational justification for the expansion?’
💰 Impact: $901,402.05
|
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
|
Over $220,000 Spent on ‘i-Ready’ Screen-Time Software
The district’s payment list shows over $220,000 going to Curriculum Associates, the vendor for the i-Ready software used for math and reading. This program increases student screen time, often at the expense of direct instruction from a teacher.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY: This payment is in the Informational Pages (Item VII.2). Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org: ‘Before renewing or expanding contracts for i-Ready, please provide parents with independent, non-vendor-funded evidence that this software produces significant academic gains. How many minutes per day are students expected to use this program, and what instructional activities does it replace?’
💰 Impact: $223,648.47
|
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
|
District Approves $180,210 for Summit K12 Online Curriculum
The district is spending $180,210 on Summit K12, an online curriculum platform. This represents a significant investment in screen-based learning, and parents deserve to see proof of its effectiveness before tax dollars are spent.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND PROOF OF ROI: This purchase is in the Bid Items attachment (Item VII.3.B). Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org: ‘Before spending $180,210 on Summit K12, please provide the independent studies that prove it is more effective than a teacher in the classroom. How much additional screen time will this program require from students?’
💰 Impact: $180,210.00
|
| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
|
District Hires ‘Anti-Racist’ Consulting Group TNTP Inc.
A purchase order for $23,110 was issued to TNTP Inc. for Human Resources. TNTP is a national consulting group known for promoting ‘anti-racism’ and ‘equity’ initiatives in teacher training and district policy.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: This purchase is listed in the Bid Items attachment (Item VII.3.B). Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org: ‘What specific services is TNTP Inc. providing to the Human Resources department? Will this training or consulting work influence teacher hiring, evaluation, or classroom instruction?’
💰 Impact: $23,110.00
|
| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
|
District Pays Known SEL Vendor ‘CharacterStrong’
The district’s check register shows two payments totaling nearly $4,000 to CharacterStrong, a company that promotes Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. SEL often replaces core academic instruction with lessons on student mindsets, attitudes, and behaviors.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: This payment is listed under Informational Pages (Item VII.2). Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org and ask: ‘Which schools or grade levels are using the CharacterStrong SEL program? Was this curriculum approved by the board, and were parents given the opportunity to review it before purchase?’
💰 Impact: $3,998.10
|
| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
|
District Spends Over $17,000 on IXL Learning Software
The district made multiple payments totaling over $17,000 for IXL, a popular online learning software. Parents need to know how much screen time this adds to their child’s day and whether it’s proven to be more effective than traditional teaching.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK FOR THE DATA: This payment is in the Informational Pages (Item VII.2). Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org: ‘What is the total daily screen time added by the IXL software? Please publish the independent, third-party studies showing this product’s effectiveness before any future renewals.’
💰 Impact: $17,812.50
|
| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
|
Vague $230,400 Contract with University of Houston
The district is paying the University of Houston $230,400 for services requested by the Chief of Staff’s office. The purpose of this large contract is not specified, and it could be for anything from academic research to ‘equity’ consulting.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK FOR DETAILS: This purchase is in the Bid Items attachment (Item VII.3.B). Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org: ‘What specific services will the University of Houston provide for the $230,400 payment? Please provide a copy of the contract or a detailed scope of work for public review.’
💰 Impact: $230,400.00
|
| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
|
Vague Title — Manual Review Required for District Improvement Plan
The board is set to approve the District Improvement Plan, a key document that guides everything from curriculum to staff development. The full plan was not attached to the public agenda, preventing parental review before the vote.
Recommended Action Plan
INVESTIGATE: Open the file ‘1 Board Agenda Item – November 2026 – District Improvement Plan 2025-2026’ in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether it contains sensitive policy changes related to DEI, SEL, or parental rights before the board votes on Item IX.2.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed district priorities
|
| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
|
Vague Title — Manual Review Required for Campus Improvement Plans
The board is voting to approve all Campus Improvement Plans for the district. These crucial documents, which outline individual school goals and strategies, were not included in the public agenda for parents to review.
Recommended Action Plan
INVESTIGATE: Open the file ‘2 Board Agenda Item – November 2026 – Campus Improvement Plans 2026-2027’ in the Official Agenda (linked above) to check for ideological keywords like ‘equity,’ ‘SEL,’ or ‘restorative practices’ before the board votes on Item IX.3.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed school-level priorities
|
| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
|
Spotlight on ‘Counseling, Social Work, and Behavior Response’
The board will hear a presentation on the district’s counseling, social work, and behavior response teams. These programs often serve as entry points for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and other non-academic interventions that can occur without full parental consent.
Recommended Action Plan
MONITOR AND ASK QUESTIONS: Pay close attention to the presentation for Item IX.1. Listen for terms like ‘SEL,’ ‘mental health screening,’ ‘restorative practices,’ or ‘trauma-informed care.’ If these are mentioned, email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org to ask for the specific curriculum and parental consent policies associated with these programs.
💰 Impact: Focus on non-academics
|
| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
|
Speaking at Board Meetings Requires 3-Hour Advance Sign-Up
The district’s policy requires parents to sign up to speak at least three hours before the meeting starts, either in person or by email. This rule can prevent parents who learn about an issue late in the day from addressing the board and limits public participation.
Recommended Action Plan
PLAN AHEAD: If you want to speak, you must sign up by 2:30 PM for a 5:30 PM meeting by emailing board@pasadenaisd.org. Ask the board to amend Policy BED (LOCAL) to allow for in-person sign-ups until the meeting begins to ensure all parents have a voice.
💰 Impact: Limited Parent Voice
|
|
✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
|
| Win (LEVEL 5) |
|
District Earns ‘Superior’ Financial Rating for 21st Consecutive Year
The district received a ‘Superior’ rating with a score of 98 out of 100 on the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This indicates strong financial management and transparency, which is great news for taxpayers.
How to Lock It In
AMPLIFY THE WIN: This is great news. Consider sending a brief email to the board at board@pasadenaisd.org thanking them for their fiscal responsibility. Good financial stewardship is the foundation of a well-run district and should be publicly praised.
|
|
