Texas Public Policy Foundation
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📍 Drive to GLADEWATER ISD Office   📅 Monday, October 19, 2026 to Calendar
📄 View Official Agenda
Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming GLADEWATER ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
ALERT (LEVEL 8)
Requires Verification

Vote on 2026 Property Tax Levy
📅 October 19, 2026
The board is voting to set the property tax levy for 2026 under Item 8. The agenda does not state the proposed tax rate or compare it to the no-new-revenue rate, preventing taxpayers from knowing if this constitutes a tax increase before the meeting.
Response

INVESTIGATE & SPEAK UP: Contact the Gladewater ISD administration before the meeting. Ask: ‘What is the proposed tax rate in Item 8, and how does it compare to the no-new-revenue rate?’ Show up to the meeting to demand the board adopt the no-new-revenue rate.

💰 Impact: Potential Property Tax Hike
WARNING (LEVEL 6)
Undisclosed Spending Over $25,000
📅 October 19, 2026
The board plans to approve an invoice over $25,000 with no information provided to the public about the vendor, the service, or the exact amount. This prevents taxpayers from scrutinizing a significant expenditure before the vote.
Response

DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Gladewater ISD Board. Ask: ‘Item 6 is an undisclosed invoice over $25,000. Who is the vendor, what is the service, and what is the exact amount? This item must be tabled until the invoice is made public.’

💰 Impact: Undisclosed
WARNING (LEVEL 6)
Requires Verification

Vague ‘Guardian Program’ on Agenda
📅 October 19, 2026
The board is discussing a ‘Guardian Program,’ likely related to school safety and potentially arming staff. The agenda provides no details on whether this is a new program, a policy change, or a vote, leaving the public in the dark on a critical security issue.
Response

DEMAND DETAILS: Contact the Gladewater ISD Board. Ask: ‘What specific action is being considered under Item 10, the Guardian Program? The public deserves to know the details of any school safety plan before it is discussed or voted on.’

💰 Impact: Undisclosed Policy/Financial Impact
WATCH (LEVEL 5)
Applying for Federal Grant with Potential Strings
📅 October 19, 2026
The district is signaling its intent to apply for the federal GEAR UP grant. While aimed at college readiness, these grants often come with federal mandates for data collection and can create new programs that local taxpayers must fund long after the federal money is gone.
Response

DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Gladewater ISD Board before the meeting. Ask: ‘Regarding Item 5.B.1, what are the long-term costs and data-sharing requirements associated with the GEAR UP grant? Will local taxpayers be on the hook to continue this program after the federal funds expire?’

💰 Impact: Future Unfunded Mandates
Local Officials
Address 200 E BROADWAY, GLADEWATER, TX 75647
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