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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming BELTON ISD agenda. There are 8 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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$61M Bond Refinancing Hidden on Consent Agenda
The board is set to approve a budget amendment for a $61.7 million bond refinancing deal as part of the bundled consent agenda. While refinancing can save money, large debt transactions deserve a full public discussion, not a rubber stamp, to ensure the terms are favorable to taxpayers.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link): ‘Pull Consent Item 6.D from the consent agenda for a separate discussion and roll-call vote. Taxpayers deserve a full explanation of this $61M bond refinancing before it is approved.’
💰 Impact: $61.7M Debt Transaction
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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District Affirms Tie to Taxpayer-Funded Lobby Group
The minutes being approved under the consent agenda document the district’s recent appointment of a delegate to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobbying organization that often works against parent and taxpayer interests in the state legislature.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link): ‘Regarding the approval of minutes in Item 6.A.2, how much in taxpayer money does Belton ISD pay annually in dues to TASB? It’s time to withdraw from organizations that lobby against taxpayers.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Fees
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| ALERT (LEVEL 3) |
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District to Approve $800,000 Exclusive Nike Deal
The district plans to approve a five-year exclusive partnership with Nike for athletic apparel, costing approximately $160,000 per year for a total of $800,000. This raises questions about whether an exclusive branding deal is the most fiscally responsible use of taxpayer money for student uniforms and equipment.
Response
ASK FOR THE MATH: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link): ‘Regarding Item 6.E.2, please provide the cost-benefit analysis showing that an exclusive Nike partnership is more cost-effective for taxpayers than competitive bidding for athletic apparel.’
💰 Impact: $800,000 over 5 years
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| ALERT (LEVEL 3) |
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District Seeks Waivers for Overcrowded Classrooms
The district is requesting state waivers for three elementary classrooms that exceed the legal 22-to-1 student-teacher ratio. While waivers are common, they can be an indicator of overcrowding and resource strain that may impact the quality of instruction.
Response
ASK FOR THE PLAN: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link): ‘Regarding Item 6.L, what is the long-term plan to address classroom overcrowding and reduce the need for class size waivers in the future?’
💰 Impact: Potentially reduced quality of instruction
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| ALERT (LEVEL 2) |
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District Investment List Tracks Firms by Identity Group
The list of authorized broker/dealers for district investments includes notations for firms that are minority-owned, woman-owned, or veteran-owned. While not an explicit scoring preference, this tracking can be a precursor to using social criteria (ESG) instead of pure fiduciary duty to guide taxpayer investments.
Response
MONITOR FOR MISSION CREEP: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link): ‘Regarding Item 6.H, I am concerned about the tracking of broker/dealers by identity group. Please confirm that all investment decisions will be based solely on the highest fiduciary return for taxpayers, with no preferential treatment given based on these social metrics.’
💰 Impact: Potential for non-fiduciary investment criteria
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 9) |
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District Policy Prohibits DEI Quotas in Gifted Programs
The Board is adopting a revised policy for Gifted and Talented programs that explicitly prohibits using race, ethnicity, sex, or socioeconomic status in student selection. This is a crucial safeguard ensuring that students are identified based on merit and ability, not identity politics.
How to Secure It
LOCK IN THE WIN: Show up to thank the Board for adopting this clear, protective language in policy EHBB(LOCAL) under Item 6.N.2. This sets a standard for merit and excellence that other districts should follow.
✅ Why It Matters: Merit-Based Selection Protected
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| Major Win (LEVEL 8) |
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District Certifies Compliance with State’s DEI Ban
The Board is voting to certify its compliance with state law (SB 12) that prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and duties. This action formally documents that the district has removed DEI functions and certain ideological instruction, ensuring taxpayer funds are focused on core academics.
How to Secure It
SECURE THE WIN: Show up to thank the Board for their public commitment to complying with state law banning DEI. Ask them to read the certification highlights from Item 4.B into the record during the meeting to ensure this standard of accountability is clear for all parents and taxpayers.
✅ Why It Matters: Taxpayer Protection
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| Positive Signal (LEVEL 2) |
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Fiscal Prudence Prevents Student Meal Price Hike
Due to a positive balance in the School Nutrition Fund, the district is not required to increase student meal prices this year. This demonstrates responsible management of the nutrition program, protecting family budgets from another cost increase.
How to Secure It
ACKNOWLEDGE GOOD STEWARDSHIP: Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link): ‘Thank you for managing the School Nutrition Fund responsibly, which has prevented an increase in student meal prices this year. We appreciate this focus on protecting family budgets.’
✅ Why It Matters: No Cost Increase for Students
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