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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming GALVESTON ISD agenda and found 3 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Undisclosed Budget Changes on Consent Agenda
The board plans to approve budget amendments as part of a bundled ‘consent agenda’ vote, but the documents detailing these changes have not been made public with the agenda. This prevents taxpayers from seeing how their money is being reallocated before the vote.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Galveston ISD Board (see the Official Agenda link for details) and demand Item 11.D be pulled from the Consent Agenda. Ask them to publish the budget amendment document and hold a separate, recorded vote.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Spending
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vendor Scoring Based on Politics, Not Price
The district is awarding a contract for driving services where vendors were scored on their status as a ‘Historically Underutilized Business’ or ‘Minority-Owned Business.’ This contract is also funded by a federal grant, which could leave local taxpayers on the hook when the grant money runs out.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Galveston ISD Board and ask them to pull Item 11.G for discussion. Ask: ‘Why are we scoring vendors on political categories instead of just the best value for students and taxpayers? What is the plan to fund this program when the federal grant ends?’
💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandate
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Using Long-Term Bond Debt for Short-Term Van
The district plans to use voter-approved bond funds to purchase a $57,000 passenger van. This is a misuse of long-term debt, as the van will wear out long before the 20- or 30-year bond is paid off, leaving future taxpayers to pay for an asset that no longer exists.
Response
DEMAND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: Contact the Galveston ISD Board regarding Item 11.H. Ask: ‘Was the purchase of a van explicitly approved by voters in the 2022-2023 bond language? Why are we using long-term debt to pay for a short-term asset like a vehicle?’
💰 Impact: Misuse of Voter-Approved Debt
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