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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming GALVESTON ISD agenda. There are 6 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
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Tax Bills to Rise $237 on Average Home
The school board is voting on a new tax rate for 2026. While the district states the proposed rate of $0.849713 does not exceed the ‘no-new-revenue’ rate, rising property appraisals mean the actual tax levy will increase significantly. According to the district’s own public notice, taxes on the average residence are projected to increase by $237.65, from $658.75 to $896.40. The board is proposing to adopt the highest possible rate without triggering an automatic voter-approval election.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: Sign up for public comment at the August 26 meeting. Email the Board of Trustees: ‘A $237 tax increase on the average home is not ‘no new revenue.’ My family’s budget is not a line item you can increase at will. Adopt a tax rate that results in a lower tax bill, not just a lower rate.’
💰 Impact: $237.65 increase on average home’s tax bill
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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District Proposes to Hire Lobbying Group for Consulting
Under agenda item 10.K, the board will vote to approve a pool of vendors for asbestos consulting services. One of the three recommended vendors is the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). TASB is one of the largest lobbying organizations in Austin, frequently working against property tax relief, parental rights, and educational freedom. Approving TASB as a vendor, even for a non-lobbying service, directs taxpayer dollars to an entity that actively lobbies against taxpayer interests.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board of Trustees to pull Item 10.K from the consent agenda for a separate discussion and vote. Ask them: ‘Why are we giving taxpayer money to a political lobbying group like TASB when other qualified vendors are available?’
💰 Impact: Directing funds to a state lobbying organization.
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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District Plans to Spend $1.2 Million More Than It Takes In
The proposed 2026-2027 General Fund budget projects a deficit of $1,200,000. This means the district plans to spend more money than it receives in revenue. Deficit spending is fiscally unsustainable and often leads to future tax hikes, more debt, or cuts to essential services to close the gap.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board of Trustees regarding Item 7.A. Ask: ‘How does the board justify passing a budget with a $1.2 million deficit, and what is the specific plan to balance the budget without raising taxes on families in the future?’
💰 Impact: $1,200,000 budget shortfall
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Taxpayers Billed for Lawyers to Handle Public Information Requests
The district’s vendor payment list includes $136,358 to the law firm Thompson & Horton. A detailed summary of legal fees reveals that $7,197.50 of this was for handling Public Information Act (PIA) requests. This means the district is using taxpayer money to pay its lawyers to process, and potentially delay or obstruct, the public’s requests for public information. This practice creates a financial barrier to transparency and accountability.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board of Trustees regarding the legal fees in the financial reports. Ask: ‘Why are taxpayer dollars being spent on lawyers to handle public information requests instead of simply providing the information promptly and transparently as the law requires?’
💰 Impact: $7,197.50 in legal fees for PIA requests
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Board to Vote on Canceling School Board Elections
The board is set to vote on canceling the trustee elections for Districts 5-E and 6-F because the incumbents are running unopposed. While this is permitted by law, it prevents voters from having a say in their representation, even through a write-in campaign. Canceling elections can lead to reduced accountability and a perception that leadership positions are uncontested and automatically retained.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board of Trustees to pull Item 10.I from the consent agenda. Ask them to publicly discuss the implications of canceling elections and what the district is doing to encourage more candidates to run for school board in the future.
💰 Impact: Loss of voter choice and incumbent accountability.
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague $50,000 ‘Research’ Contract with Outside Consultant
The district’s list of vendors with purchases over $50,000 includes a $50,000 payment to ‘Hanover Research’. The agenda provides no contract, deliverables, or explanation for what this research entails. Such vague ‘professional services’ contracts can be a way to fund politically-driven initiatives like ‘equity audits’ or climate surveys without public scrutiny.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board of Trustees regarding the $50,000 payment to Hanover Research found in the financial attachments. Ask: ‘Please provide the public with a copy of the contract and a detailed list of deliverables for the $50,000 paid to Hanover Research before any future payments are approved.’
💰 Impact: $50,000
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