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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming MIDWAY ISD agenda and found 6 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Consent Agenda Hides $675k in New Spending
Buried on the consent agenda, Item 10.A.3 proposes four budget amendments to spend $674,800 from the district’s savings (fund balance). This spending, which includes funding for new, recurring staff positions like a ‘District Behavior Coach,’ will be approved without individual discussion unless a trustee pulls the item.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Midway ISD board (see the Official Agenda link for details). ‘I demand Consent Item 10.A.3 be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Spending down reserves for new, permanent positions deserves a full public discussion.’
💰 Impact: $674,800 from Savings
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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District Drafts Lobbying Plan for State Legislature
The board is reviewing its draft legislative priorities for the 2027 session. The plan calls for lobbying state lawmakers for an increased basic allotment with automatic inflation adjustments, and preserving ‘local control’ over instructional materials, which often means resisting statewide curriculum transparency.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Midway ISD board (see the Official Agenda link for details). ‘Regarding Item 7.D, taxpayers should not fund lobbying efforts that push for higher state spending and less local transparency. I ask the board to reject these priorities.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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District Operating with a $3 Million Budget Deficit
The monthly finance report for October reveals the district’s current adopted budget includes a deficit of $2,994,937. This means the district is planning to spend nearly $3 million more than it receives in revenue, using its fund balance (savings) to cover the shortfall.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Midway ISD board (see the Official Agenda link for details). ‘Regarding the deficit in Item 8.B, what is the long-term plan to bring spending in line with revenue without raising taxes? A structural deficit is not sustainable.’
💰 Impact: $3M Budget Deficit
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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District Touts SEL Programs Amid Rising Discipline
The annual discipline report, which shows a district-wide increase in total incidents to 1,478, also highlights the district’s use of a ‘District-wide Character Education & SEL program’ and ‘Leader In Me.’ These social-emotional learning programs can divert focus from core academics and introduce controversial concepts into the classroom.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Midway ISD board (see the Official Agenda link for details). ‘Regarding the SEL programs mentioned in Item 8.C, please provide the full curriculum and training materials for public review. Parents have a right to know what is being taught under the banner of ‘character education’.’
💰 Impact: Mission Drift
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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Board to Debrief from Lobby Group Conference
Under Item 8.F, the board will debrief their attendance at txEDCON, the annual conference hosted by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). TASB is a taxpayer-funded organization that actively lobbies the state legislature, often against reforms for property tax relief and parental rights.
Response
ASK THE QUESTION: Contact the Midway ISD board (see the Official Agenda link for details). ‘Regarding Item 8.F, how much in taxpayer funds was spent on travel, registration, and dues related to the txEDCON conference and TASB membership? Does the board plan to re-evaluate its membership in this lobby group?’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Fees
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✅ Wins for Taxpayers
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 8) |
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District Earns ‘Superior’ State Financial Rating
Midway ISD received a score of 98 out of 100 on the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), earning a ‘Superior’ rating for the 2026 report. This top rating from the Texas Education Agency indicates strong financial management and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
How to Lock It In
AMPLIFY THE WIN: Show up to the Public Hearing on Item 9 to thank the board and administration for their sound financial management. Get this ‘Superior’ rating on the record to set a high standard for fiscal responsibility.
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