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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming FT SAM HOUSTON ISD agenda and found 5 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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District Admits 3-Year Failure to Pay Teacher Retirement
An agenda memo for Item 11 reveals the district failed to remit retirement contributions for substitute teachers for over three years (July 2022 – Sept 2025), holding the money in its own bank account instead. This mismanagement of employee funds was so severe it has triggered an ongoing investigation by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Response
This is a discussion item (Item 11), not a vote, but the board must be held accountable. Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link): ‘The three-year failure to manage FICA funds is an unacceptable breach of trust. What specific steps are being taken to ensure this never happens again and who is being held accountable?’
💰 Impact: Loss of Trust / TEA Investigation
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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New Hurdles to Silence Public Comment
The board’s public comment policy, detailed in the agenda attachments, allows the presiding officer to halt any speaker who has not first gone through ‘administrative resolution channels.’ This forces parents and taxpayers to navigate a bureaucratic maze before they can speak to their elected officials, effectively silencing dissent.
Response
This policy is already in place, but the board needs to hear that it’s unacceptable. Sign up for Public Comment under Item 3 and tell the board: ‘Forcing citizens through administrative channels before they can speak to you is an unacceptable barrier. We demand the right to address our elected officials directly.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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$6.6M for New Admin Building from Reserves
Item 8 proposes a budget amendment to transfer $6.6 million from the district’s cash reserves (fund balance) to begin construction on a new central office building. This major capital project is being funded without the direct voter approval that a bond election would require, spending millions in accumulated taxpayer dollars on administrative facilities.
Response
Contact the Board before the meeting (see Official Agenda link for contact info) and ask them to vote NO on Budget Amendment Number 1 (Item 8). ‘Spending $6.6 million on a new administration building without voter approval is the wrong priority. Put major capital projects on the ballot.’
💰 Impact: $6.6M (No Voter Approval)
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Board to Vote on New ‘Transparency Blackout’ Days
Under Item 12, the board will vote to designate 10 ‘non-business days’ in 2027 where staff are not required to process Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) requests. While a new law allows this, the district is choosing to create the maximum number of new blackout days, making it harder and slower for the public to get information.
Response
Contact the Board and urge them to vote NO on Item 12. ‘Please reject the proposal for 10 TPIA non-business days. We expect our district to be a leader in transparency, not to use every available loophole to delay public information.’
💰 Impact: Delayed Public Records
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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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District Earns Perfect Financial Integrity Score
Under Item 9, the district will present its 2025-2026 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) report, on which it received a perfect score of 100 for ‘Superior Achievement.’ This rating indicates strong financial management, transparency, and efficiency with taxpayer dollars.
How to Lock It In
Show up to the Public Hearing on Item 9 to thank the board and administration for their sound financial stewardship. Getting this on the record encourages continued fiscal responsibility and sets a high standard for other districts.
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