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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming CALALLEN ISD agenda and found 8 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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District to Slow Down Public Information Requests
The board will vote on a resolution to designate 10 additional ‘non-business days’ for 2027. This action uses the maximum number of days allowed by state law to delay the district’s legal requirement to respond to Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) requests, reducing government transparency.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link) and state: ‘I demand Item 12.A.4 be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and roll-call vote. The district should be expanding transparency, not using legal loopholes to slow it down.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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District Proposes Armed ‘Guardian Program’
The Superintendent’s report introduces a proposal for a ‘Guardian Program’ that would involve arming school staff. The plan has an estimated startup cost of $82,339 and an ongoing annual cost of $52,000 to $70,000 for stipends, ammunition, and training.
Response
This is a major policy decision with significant costs and safety implications. Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link) and ask: ‘Before implementing a Guardian Program, will there be a public hearing for community input, and how will the district ensure rigorous training and accountability?’
💰 Impact: $52K-$70K Annually
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Policy Change Would ‘Grandfather’ Transfer Students
The board is considering a policy revision that would allow non-resident transfer students to remain at their assigned campus through all grade levels, replacing the current annual review process. This change reduces the district’s ability to manage enrollment and could lead to overcrowding or strained resources at certain schools.
Response
Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link) before the meeting: ‘Regarding Item 12.G, please vote NO. The district must retain the ability to review transfers annually to manage class sizes and taxpayer resources effectively.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Enrollment Flexibility
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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New Retirement Payouts to be Funded from Savings
The district is proposing a new, three-year ‘Retirement Incentive Program’ that will pay bonuses of up to $12,000 per employee. This new spending program has an undetermined total cost and will be paid from the district’s Fund Balance, which functions as the taxpayer’s savings account.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link) and ask: ‘Regarding Item 12.H, what is the total projected cost of this three-year program, and what is the justification for using one-time fund balance for a recurring incentive?’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Cost from Savings
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
The consent agenda includes ‘approval of Bills and Warrants,’ which authorizes district spending. The specific list of payments and vendors is not included in the agenda packet, preventing public review before the vote.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether it contains hidden debt or policy changes. Email the Board: ‘Please pull Item 12.A.2 from the consent agenda and publicly display the list of bills and warrants before the vote.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Spending
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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New Stipend Uses Local Funds for State Program
The amended compensation plan creates a new $6,000 stipend for a ‘TIA Administrative Leader.’ This uses local property tax dollars to pay for the administration of the state-run Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program.
Response
MONITOR: Ask the Board why local funds are being used for a new administrative stipend to manage a state program, instead of using the 10% of TIA funds the district already retains for administration.
💰 Impact: $6,000 Annually
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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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Calallen ISD Earns Superior Financial Rating
The district received a ‘Superior’ rating with a score of 96 out of 100 on the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This rating indicates strong financial management and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
How to Lock It In
Show up to thank the Board for their strong financial stewardship. Publicly recognizing this achievement encourages continued fiscal discipline and sets a high standard for other districts.
✅ Why It Matters: Strong Financial Stewardship
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| Win (LEVEL 6) |
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District Ends Taxpayer-Funded Retiree Subsidies
The amended compensation plan includes a key reform that will save taxpayer money. For new retire-rehire employees hired after September 2025, the employee—not the district—will be responsible for paying the costly TRS pension and healthcare surcharges.
How to Lock It In
SECURE THE WIN: Email the Board (see the Official Agenda link) to thank them for approving Item 12.I and protecting taxpayers from paying costly retiree surcharges. This common-sense reform should be the standard for all Texas school districts.
✅ Why It Matters: Taxpayer Savings
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