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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming MISSION CISD agenda and found 6 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Payment to TASB
The district’s October check register reveals a payment of $117,045 to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). TASB is a taxpayer-funded lobby that actively works in Austin to oppose property tax relief, parental rights, and educational freedom, using local tax dollars to do so.
Response
DEMAND AN AUDIT: This payment was buried in informational item 12.C.2. Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘The October cash disbursement report shows a $117,045 payment to TASB. How much of this is for lobbying? Mission CISD should not force taxpayers to fund a political group that lobbies against their own interests.’
💰 Impact: $117,045 (Lobbying Fees)
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Board Approves Property Tax Hike
The board is formally approving the 2026 tax roll, which is based on a property tax rate of $1.1130. This rate is higher than the ‘no-new-revenue’ rate of $1.0977, meaning the district chose to increase the property tax burden on homeowners and businesses rather than adopting a rate that would have kept revenue flat.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Consent Item 9.E, please pull this item for a separate vote. The adopted tax rate of $1.1130 is a tax increase on Mission families, exceeding the no-new-revenue rate. Taxpayers deserve to see which trustees stand by this tax hike.’
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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District Approving Plans Tied to Outside Consultant
Under the guise of ‘school improvement,’ the board is approving plans for four schools that are tied to the LIFT grant program and the consultant Engage2Learn. This locks the district into a specific, vendor-driven educational framework, with one elementary school’s portion costing $120,000, paid for by a grant that will eventually expire, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Consent Item 9.A, please pull this item for a separate discussion and vote. Why are our school improvement plans dependent on an outside consultant like Engage2Learn, and what is the plan to sustain these programs without grant funding?’
💰 Impact: $120,000+ (Grant-Funded Consultant)
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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District Opens Door to AI Student Surveillance
The district is appointing an ‘AI Risk Officer’ and adopting a state ‘AI Code of Ethics’ to comply with state law. While procedural, the district’s own documents signal future intent by explicitly mentioning systems that could collect sensitive student data, including biometrics like ‘voiceprints or faceprints’ and ‘health/wellness chatbots.’
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Consent Item 9.D, I support ethical AI, but I am concerned about student privacy. Please commit publicly that the district will require transparent, opt-in parental consent before deploying any AI system that collects student biometric, health, or wellness data.’
💰 Impact: Student Data Surveillance
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Undisclosed Changes to Electioneering Policy
The board is voting on undisclosed amendments to its policy on ‘Campaigning, Electioneering, and the Distribution of Campaign Materials’ on school property. Without publishing the proposed changes, taxpayers cannot know if the board is trying to restrict political speech or protect incumbent advantages at school polling locations.
Response
INVESTIGATE: The proposed changes to policy GKDA(LOCAL) are not included in the agenda packet. Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Item 8.B, please publish the proposed amendments to the electioneering policy before the vote. The public deserves to see how you are changing the rules for political activity on school grounds.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Resignation Bonuses Tied to Broad Legal Waivers
The district plans to offer bonuses up to $2,000 for employees who resign early. To get the money, employees must sign a broad legal waiver, releasing the district from ‘any and all claims’ related to their employment, which could be a tool to quietly pay off disgruntled employees and avoid public accountability for personnel issues.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Board (contact info on district website): ‘Regarding Consent Item 9.B, why is a broad legal release required for the early resignation incentive? This looks like a way to use taxpayer money to buy silence and avoid accountability for potential employee claims.’
💰 Impact: Hush Money Potential
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