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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming ALIEF ISD agenda and found 7 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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District Adopts Property Tax Rate Hike
The school board’s adopted budget includes a new property tax rate of $1.0204, an increase from last year’s $1.0072. Combined with rising property values, the estimated tax bill on a median-valued home will increase from $695.71 to $708.96. This directly increases the financial burden on Alief homeowners and families.
Response
This rate has been adopted, but it’s critical to hold the board accountable for future increases. Contact the Alief ISD Board of Trustees (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘My family’s budget is tight. I expect the board to adopt the no-new-revenue rate next year and stop the trend of ever-increasing property tax bills.’
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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District Quietly Drains $16M in Savings
Buried in the Consent Agenda (Item 10.5), budget documents reveal the district’s General Fund balance has decreased by nearly $16 million so far this fiscal year. This rapid spending of savings is unsustainable and signals potential future budget shortfalls and tax hikes. Major financial shifts should be presented openly, not passed without discussion.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Alief ISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Pull Item 10.5 from the Consent Agenda. The public deserves a full explanation and a recorded vote on any action that drains $16 million from district savings.’
💰 Impact: Risk of Future Tax Hikes
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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$1.8M Consultant Contract on Consent Agenda
The board is set to approve a $1,783,260 work authorization with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. for ‘Bond Program Management Services’ as part of the consent agenda (Item 10.7). Spending this much on consultants without a separate public discussion and vote lacks transparency and proper oversight of taxpayer dollars.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Alief ISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘I demand Consent Item 10.7 be pulled for separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve to see where each member stands on spending $1.8M for consultants.’
💰 Impact: $1.78M in Consultant Fees
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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District Appoints Delegates to Regional Council
Under Item 11.1, the board will appoint representatives to the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), a regional council of governments. These organizations often use taxpayer funds to lobby the state legislature for policies that increase government power and spending, which may conflict with the interests of local taxpayers.
Response
ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS: Contact the Alief ISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding Item 11.1, what is the total cost of H-GAC membership, and what specific legislative positions will our delegates be supporting with our tax dollars?’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague ‘HR Consulting’ Contract Proposed
Item 10.10 on the consent agenda seeks approval for ‘Human Resources Consulting Services’ with no vendor, cost, or contract details provided. These vague consulting agreements often lead to wasteful spending on projects with no clear benefit to students or taxpayers. The board should provide the full contract for public review before any vote.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Alief ISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding Item 10.10, please publish the proposed contract and a clear list of deliverables for the HR Consulting Services before any vote is taken.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
Item 9.4, ‘Active Requests for Proposals for Procurement of Goods and Services,’ lists ongoing solicitations but the attached file could not be reviewed. These lists can sometimes be the first sign of large or controversial contracts being planned by the district.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached to Item 9.4 in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether it contains any concerning or high-cost service contracts.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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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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Alief ISD Earns State’s Top Financial Rating
The district will be presented with its Annual Financial Accountability Management Report (Item 11.3), which confirms Alief ISD has earned a ‘Superior Achievement’ rating. This is the highest possible rating from the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), indicating strong financial management and stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
How to Lock It In
AMPLIFY THE WIN: Show up to thank the Board for their sound financial management during the public hearing on Item 11.3. This sets a high standard for fiscal responsibility that should be celebrated and maintained.
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