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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming CLYDE CISD agenda and found 6 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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District Prepares $46M Bond with Misleading ‘No Tax Impact’ Claim
A facilities committee is recommending a $46 million bond package to the board, advertised as having a ‘zero-cent tax rate increase.’ This is a common tactic to hide the true cost of new debt, which locks in current tax rates and prevents future tax relief for property owners.
Response
GET AHEAD OF THE VOTE: This is an update, not the final vote. Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding the Facilities Update Item 9.2, a $46M bond is not ‘free.’ Will you commit to telling voters the full cost of this debt, not just the tax rate impact?’
💰 Impact: $46M in New Debt
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Board to Limit Public Records Access
The board is voting to designate 10 additional ‘non-business days’ for 2027, using a new state law to delay responses to Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) requests. This action makes it harder for taxpayers and parents to get timely information about their government’s actions.
Response
VOTE NO ON SECRECY: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Vote NO on Item 10.2. Using the new law to delay public records requests is a choice to be less transparent. The public’s right to know should not be restricted.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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District Promotes Lobbying Against Taxpayers
The Superintendent’s report includes legislative priorities from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and other groups. These documents confirm these associations lobby against taxpayer interests, including opposing school choice programs and taxpayer protection laws for bond elections.
Response
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Item 8.5.2 presents lobbying agendas from groups like TASB that oppose parents and taxpayers. I ask the Board to publicly state whether it supports TASB’s positions against school choice and bond election transparency.’
💰 Impact: Lobbying Against Taxpayer Interests
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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$118,500 Contract for ‘Communities in Schools’ on Consent Agenda
The board plans to approve a $118,500 payment to ‘Communities in Schools’ as part of a bundled consent agenda vote. This national organization places staff in schools to provide social-emotional support, which can involve student data collection and interventions that bypass parental oversight.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Pull Item 10.1.4 from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and recorded vote. What specific services will be provided for $118,500, and what are the parental consent and data privacy policies?’
💰 Impact: $118,500
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Public Comment Restricted to Advance Sign-Up
The board requires residents to sign up for public comment by 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting. This rule prevents taxpayers from speaking if they learn of an issue late in the day, effectively limiting public participation and accountability.
Response
INVESTIGATE: The attachment for Item 6 was not provided. Contact the district to demand the full public comment policy and ask the Board to allow sign-ups until the meeting begins to ensure all voices can be heard.
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague Vote on Tax Rate with No Documents
The agenda includes an action item to adopt an ‘Updated Resolution To Set Tax Rate’ without providing the resolution itself or any explanation. This lack of transparency prevents the public from knowing what changes are being proposed to the property tax rate before the vote.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Postpone the vote on Item 10.4 until the proposed tax rate resolution is made public. Taxpayers deserve to see the documents you are voting on.’
💰 Impact: Potential Higher Property Taxes
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