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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming CONNALLY ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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$201K Unbudgeted Payout on Consent Agenda
The board is set to approve an immediate, unbudgeted expenditure of $201,352.45 to settle old medical claims from a prior insurance carrier. Placing a significant, unbudgeted financial hit on the ‘consent agenda’ prevents public discussion and treats a major financial issue like a routine clerical item.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘I demand Consent Item 9.C be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Why was this $201K expenditure not budgeted, and what steps are being taken to prevent this in the future?’
💰 Impact: $201,352.45 (Unbudgeted)
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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District to Hire Law Firm with Lobbying Ties
The district plans to hire Walsh Gallegos, a law firm known for its association with groups that lobby the Texas Legislature against taxpayer interests like transparency and spending limits. The cost to taxpayers is not disclosed, only that it is based on an ‘hourly rate basis’.
Response
Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item 8.C, what are the hourly rates for Walsh Gallegos, and what is the district’s policy on hiring firms that lobby against taxpayer interests? This vote should be postponed until the costs and lobbying connections are made public.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Legal & Lobbying Fees
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Social-Emotional Learning Embedded in District Plan
The proposed District Improvement Plan under item 8.A includes strategies for ‘social-emotional learning,’ ‘self-regulation,’ and analyzing ‘universal screening data’ on students. These programs often shift focus from core academics to subjective behavioral conditioning and data collection.
Response
Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item 8.A, I am concerned about the focus on SEL and universal screening. Please ensure the district’s primary focus remains on academic excellence, not subjective behavioral programming.’
💰 Impact: Mission Creep, Student Data Collection
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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District to Delay Public Information Responses
Under Consent Agenda Item 9.B, the board will designate the holiday period of Dec. 21 – Jan. 1 as ‘nonbusiness days.’ This legally-allowed maneuver extends the deadlines for the district to respond to Texas Public Information Act requests, reducing transparency during a time when the government is still operating.
Response
Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Pull Item 9.B from the consent agenda. The public’s right to information doesn’t stop for the holidays. Vote NO on creating artificial delays for TPIA requests.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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