|
Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming MANSFIELD ISD agenda and found 7 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
|
Board to Vote on New Election Map
The Board is holding a public hearing and then voting to change its election system from all at-large seats to five single-member districts and two at-large seats. This redistricting will change how every resident is represented and can be drawn to protect incumbents or create politically safe seats, reducing accountability to voters.
Response
SHOW UP AND SPEAK UP: Attend the public hearing for Item 10.1 and demand the Board explain how this new map serves voters, not just current trustees. Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item 13.1, voters should have the final say on how they are represented. This change should be put to the voters as a referendum, not decided by the board it affects.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Voter Accountability
|
| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
|
Hidden Debt in Monthly Spending Report
The district’s monthly payment report reveals large payments for ‘Subscription-Based IT Arrangements’ (SBITAs), including $165,987 to vendor Imagine Learning. These long-term leases function like debt for software and can lock taxpayers into expensive, multi-year contracts with vendors whose platforms may collect student data or contain ideological content.
Response
ASK FOR THE DETAILS: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding the SBITA payments in the October disbursement report under Item 15.1, what is the total cost and length of the Imagine Learning contract? The public deserves to know the full taxpayer obligation for these long-term software deals.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Long-Term Debt
|
| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
|
Bulk Approval of 500+ Library Books
The board is set to approve a massive list of over 500 new library books in a single vote on the consent agenda. This list includes titles like ‘Both can be true,’ which explores gender identity for young readers, making it difficult for parents to provide meaningful oversight on age-appropriateness.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Pull Consent Item 14.8 for individual review and a roll-call vote. A bulk approval of hundreds of library books prevents proper parental oversight of age-appropriate content.’
💰 Impact: Politicized Library Content
|
| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
|
New ‘Clinical’ Mental Health Partnership
The district is presenting a new partnership with ‘Mind Above Matter’ to provide ‘clinical support’ for student mental health. While student well-being is important, these programs can introduce controversial social theories or lead to data collection on students without full parental consent.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item 9.1, what curriculum or materials will ‘Mind Above Matter’ use? Will parents have full opt-in rights and access to all materials and data collected on their children before this partnership moves forward?’
💰 Impact: Student Data Harvesting
|
| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
|
District Adopting Policy from Lobby Group
The district is adopting policy updates recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). While the specific policies seem procedural, TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobbying group that actively works in Austin to oppose property tax relief and parental rights.
Response
QUESTION THE SOURCE: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item 13.4, why does the district rely on policy language from TASB, a lobbying group that opposes taxpayer interests? The Board should develop its own local policies instead of adopting templates from Austin lobbyists.’
💰 Impact: Influence from Anti-Taxpayer Lobby
|
| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
|
Purchasing Co-op’s ‘No Cost’ Claim
The district plans to join a ‘no-cost’ purchasing cooperative for student nutrition, but the attached agreement reveals the co-op is funded by a fee charged to vendors. This cost is ultimately passed back to the district and taxpayers in the price of goods.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Pull Consent Item 14.3 for discussion. If the purchasing co-op is funded by vendor fees, it is not ‘no cost’ to the district. Please clarify the true cost to taxpayers before approving.’
💰 Impact: Hidden Vendor Fees
|
| WATCH (LEVEL 2) |
|
District Recognition by Lobbying Groups
A student recognition item mentions the district’s participation in an exhibition run by TASA and TASB. These are the two largest taxpayer-funded education lobbying groups in Texas that consistently oppose property tax relief and parental rights initiatives.
Response
MONITOR: Note the district’s ongoing affiliation with TASA and TASB. Be prepared to oppose any future payments or dues to these organizations.
💰 Impact: Affiliation with Anti-Taxpayer Lobbies
|
|
|
“Freedom, Prosperity &
Opportunity”
TPPF is a conservative think tank whose mission is to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise in Texas and the nation.
Contribute to the mission |