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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming HEMPSTEAD ISD agenda and found 5 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Key Appointment to County Appraisal Board
The school board is appointing a representative to the Waller County Appraisal District’s Board of Directors. This board oversees the agency that sets your property’s appraised value, which is a key driver of your property tax bill.
Response
DEMAND A TAXPAYER ADVOCATE: Contact the board before the meeting regarding Item 9.C. Ask them to nominate a candidate who has a public record of fighting for appraisal transparency and taxpayer rights. ‘Who are you nominating to the WCAD board, and what is their position on protecting homeowners from runaway appraisals?’
💰 Impact: Higher Property Appraisals
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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District Seeks Exemption From State Laws
The district is holding a public hearing on its ‘District of Innovation’ plan. These plans allow school districts to exempt themselves from state laws, which can impact everything from teacher certification requirements to class sizes.
Response
INVESTIGATE & SPEAK UP: The ‘District of Innovation’ plan is not attached to the agenda. Contact the district to demand the full plan be posted online before the hearing. Attend the public hearing on Item 3 and ask what specific state laws the district wants to be exempt from and why.
💰 Impact: Weakened State Standards
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Committee Forming to Weaken State Laws
The board is appointing the committee that will write the ‘District of Innovation’ plan, which allows the district to seek exemptions from state laws. The makeup of this committee is crucial to ensuring parents and taxpayers have a voice, not just administrators.
Response
GET ON THE COMMITTEE: Contact the board regarding Item 9.D and demand that the District of Innovation Committee has a majority of parents and community members, not just district employees. Volunteer to serve on it yourself. ‘Will you commit to a committee composition that is at least 51% parents and taxpayers?’
💰 Impact: Loss of Local Control
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Undisclosed Budget Amendment
The board plans to vote on a budget amendment, but the details of what money is being moved, from where, and to what, are not included in the agenda. This lack of transparency prevents taxpayers from seeing how their money is being reallocated before the vote.
Response
INVESTIGATE: The details for Budget Amendment (#2) under Item 9.A are not attached. Contact the district to demand the full amendment document be posted online immediately. Ask: ‘What is the specific purpose of this amendment and what is the total dollar amount being moved?’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Spending
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague ‘Educational Services’ Vendor List
The board is voting to approve a process for adding vendors for ‘Contracted Educational Services’ on an ongoing basis. This creates a pre-approved list that could allow controversial consultants or services to be hired later with less public scrutiny.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Ask the board to pull Consent Item 7.D for separate discussion. Ask for a list of the current vendors for ‘Contracted Educational Services’ and demand that any new vendors be approved individually, not added to a pre-approved list.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Consultant Fees
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