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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming BELTON ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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District to Adopt Official Lobbying Platform
Under Item 4.A, the board will vote to adopt its ‘Legislative Priorities,’ which is its official lobbying platform to use at the Texas Legislature. Without a draft provided in the agenda, taxpayers cannot know if the district plans to use their money to lobby for higher taxes or against parental rights.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Board of Trustees (see the district website for contact info) and demand ‘Regarding Item 4.A, the proposed Legislative Priorities must be published for public review before any vote. Taxpayers deserve to know what you plan to lobby for in Austin with our money.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Final Vote on Secret Changes to Complaint Policies
The board is taking a final vote on changes to policies for employee, parent, and public complaints (Items 6.H.1, 6.H.2, 6.H.3), hidden on the consent agenda. The proposed new language has not been made public, so citizens can’t tell if the district is improving accountability or making it harder for people to voice their concerns.
Response
DEMAND A SEPARATE VOTE: Contact the Board of Trustees (see district website for emails): ‘Pull Items 6.H.1, 6.H.2, and 6.H.3 from the Consent Agenda. The public must be able to see the red-lined changes to complaint policies before you take a final vote.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Accountability
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Grant Applications May Add Hidden Future Costs
The district is applying for ‘Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO)’ grants on the consent agenda (Item 6.E). These state and federal grants often come with strings attached, such as mandating specific programs or staff that local taxpayers will have to pay for permanently after the grant money disappears.
Response
ASK ABOUT THE STRINGS: Contact the Board of Trustees (see district website for emails): ‘Regarding Item 6.E, what are the long-term costs and policy requirements associated with the LASO grants? Will this create new staff positions that Belton taxpayers will have to fund forever?’
💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandates
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Undisclosed Budget Changes on Consent Agenda
The board plans to approve ‘Budget Amendment #3’ as part of a bundled vote with no public discussion under Item 6.D. The details of this amendment were not included in the agenda packet, so taxpayers cannot see what spending is being increased or decreased.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Board of Trustees (see district website for emails): ‘Pull Item 6.D, Budget Amendment #3, from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and vote. The public deserves to know what changes are being made to the budget.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Spending
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