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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming PASADENA ISD agenda and found 7 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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District Approving 38% Health Insurance Rate Hike
The board is set to approve a renewal of its self-funded health plan with Aetna at a cost of over $4.1 million. According to the district’s own documents for Item VIII.2, this represents a massive 38% premium increase.
Response
Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org: ‘Regarding Item VIII.2, a 38% insurance increase is unsustainable. What steps were taken to find a more competitive rate, and how will this massive cost increase impact the district’s budget and teacher benefits?’
💰 Impact: 38% Premium Increase
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Library to Approve Book by “Gender Queer” Author
The consent agenda includes approval for new library books, including ‘Opting Out’ by Maia Kobabe. Kobabe is the author of ‘Gender Queer,’ one of the most sexually explicit and controversial books found in school libraries.
Response
Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org and sign up for public comment: ‘Pull Item VII.4 from the consent agenda. Given the controversy surrounding Maia Kobabe’s other works, any book by this author requires full public discussion, not a rubber stamp.’
💰 Impact: Inappropriate Content for Minors
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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SEL Vendor Payment Hidden on Consent Agenda
The district is paying $3,998.10 to CharacterStrong LLC, a provider of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. This payment is buried deep within the monthly check register (Attachment 4) on the consent agenda, preventing public discussion.
Response
Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org: ‘I demand the Informational Pages (Item VII.2) be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a separate vote. Taxpayers deserve to know why we are funding SEL providers like CharacterStrong.’
💰 Impact: $3,998.10
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
The board is scheduled to approve the “District Improvement Plan,” a key document guiding policy and spending. However, the full text of the plan is not included with the agenda item, preventing public review before the vote.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached to Item IX.2 in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether the District Improvement Plan contains hidden ideological initiatives or wasteful spending.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Policy Changes
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
The board is approving all Campus Improvement Plans (CIPs) for the entire district in a single vote. The actual plans, which can contain controversial SEL/DEI programming, are not attached to the agenda item for public review.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file for Item IX.3 in the Official Agenda (linked above) to find your school’s Campus Improvement Plan. Check it for buzzwords like ‘equity,’ ‘SEL,’ ‘restorative justice,’ or new DEI staff positions before they are approved.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Campus Policies
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✅ Wins for Taxpayers
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 8) |
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Over $343,000 in Savings from Bond Projects
Through a series of change orders and allowance expenditure authorizations in Section XI, the district is returning a total of $343,369.45 to the 2022 Bond contingency pool and project allowances. These credits demonstrate responsible management of taxpayer-approved bond funds.
How to Lock It In
Email the board at board@pasadenaisd.org to thank them for the diligent oversight of bond projects under Section XI. Public praise for saving taxpayer money sets a high standard for all future projects.
✅ Why It Matters: $343,369.45 (Savings)
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| Major Win (LEVEL 7) |
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District Earns “Superior” Financial Rating for 21st Year
Pasadena ISD received a score of 98 and a “Superior” rating from the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). The district also proactively published all board member and superintendent expense reimbursements, demonstrating strong financial management and transparency.
How to Lock It In
Show up to thank the Board for their fiscal stewardship during the Public Hearing on Item V. Publicly acknowledging this high standard encourages continued transparency and responsible spending.
✅ Why It Matters: Fiscal Transparency
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