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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming GREGORY-PORTLAND ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Blank Check for Vague ‘Leadership’ Consulting
Item X.A asks the board to approve a contract for ‘Leadership Professional Development Contracted Services.’ The agenda documents fail to name the vendor or the cost to taxpayers, leaving both fields blank. This lack of transparency prevents the public from evaluating the provider or the value of these often-vague services before the board commits their money.
Response
Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) and ask for Board of Trustees contact information. Email them: ‘Regarding Item X.A, the public deserves to know who the district is hiring and for how much. Please table this vote until the vendor’s name, the contract amount, and specific deliverables are made public.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Undisclosed Legislative Agenda to be Discussed
Under Item XI.B.4, the Superintendent will give a verbal ‘Legislative Update’ with no supporting documents provided to the public. These updates are often used to discuss the district’s lobbying positions on state legislation, which can commit taxpayer resources to advocate for policies that taxpayers may not support. The lack of documentation keeps the public in the dark about the district’s political agenda.
Response
Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) and ask for Board of Trustees contact information. Email them: ‘Regarding the Legislative Update under Item XI.B.4, please ensure the Superintendent’s full remarks and any positions the district is taking are entered into the public record. Taxpayers deserve to know what lobbying is being done in their name.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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District Supports Anti-Taxpayer Lobbying Group
Under Consent Agenda item IX.D, the district is approving its participation in the TASB BUYBOARD purchasing cooperative. While presented as a way to save money, this action supports the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), an organization that actively lobbies the Legislature for policies that often lead to higher taxes and less local control.
Response
Contact the District Office (see the Official Agenda link) and ask for Board of Trustees contact information. Email them: ‘Please pull Item IX.D from the Consent Agenda for a separate vote. Taxpayers should not be forced to support TASB’s lobbying efforts through purchasing agreements. Please explore co-ops that do not engage in political advocacy.’
💰 Impact: Support for Anti-Taxpayer Lobbying
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✅ Wins for Taxpayers
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Win (LEVEL 6) |
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District Wisely Manages $4 Million Surplus
In Item X.C, the administration is recognizing a $4 million budget surplus primarily from higher-than-expected interest earnings. The district is correctly identifying this as one-time, variable revenue and is recommending against using it for new, permanent spending. This is responsible financial stewardship that protects taxpayers from future budget shortfalls.
How to Lock It In
Show up to the meeting to thank the Board and administration for their fiscal prudence on Item X.C. Publicly recognizing this responsible decision encourages it to become the standard practice for handling financial windfalls.
✅ Why It Matters: Taxpayer Savings
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