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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming SOUTHWEST ISD agenda and found 6 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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Vote on ‘Secret’ Final Budget Amendment
The board is scheduled to approve the ‘2026 Final Budget Amendment,’ but the agenda states the documents ‘will be provided on Tuesday evening.’ This prevents any public review of last-minute spending changes before the vote, undermining basic fiscal transparency.
Response
DEMAND A DELAY: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link) and demand they table the vote on Item VIII.B. ‘No budget documents should be voted on without at least 72 hours for public review. Table the Final Budget Amendment until the next meeting.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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District Appoints Delegate to Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Group
In a special meeting on October 5, the board appointed a delegate and alternate to the TASB Delegate Assembly. This commits district time and resources to the political activities of the Texas Association of School Boards, an organization that frequently lobbies against property tax relief and parental rights.
Response
QUESTION THE EXPENSE: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link). ‘Why is Southwest ISD spending taxpayer money to participate in the political assembly of TASB, a group that lobbies against taxpayer interests? Please reconsider our membership.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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District to Adopt Policies from Austin Lobby Group
Southwest ISD is set to approve TASB Policy Update 127 on its consent agenda. This means adopting pre-packaged policies from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), a group that lobbies the legislature, often against taxpayer interests, which can introduce statewide political agendas into local governance without specific local review.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link) and demand Item V.G. be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and roll-call vote. ‘Our district should write its own policies, not import them from an Austin lobby group. Vote NO on the TASB update.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Influence
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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District Weakens Parent and Staff Grievance Policy
The board will vote on revisions to policies FNG, DGBA, and GF that extend the district’s timeline to respond to formal complaints. Using its ‘District of Innovation’ status, the district is overriding state law to give itself more time, which could delay justice for parents and staff with serious concerns.
Response
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link) and ask them to vote NO on Item VII.A. ‘Timely responses to grievances are critical for accountability. The district should adhere to the state’s timeline, not create loopholes for itself.’
💰 Impact: Delayed Grievance Responses
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
Consent Agenda item V.C. is a ‘Board amendment’ to the budget. While the background memo claims no overall budget change, the detailed attachment ‘BA #2 10.20.26’ was not provided, preventing analysis of how funds might be shifted between departments.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether it contains hidden debt or policy changes.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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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 Affirms Compliance with State Ban on DEI
In its September 15 meeting, the SWISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a ‘certification of compliance to the prohibition of DEI activities.’ This proactive step ensures the district is following state law (SB 17) and focusing resources on academic excellence rather than divisive identity politics.
How to Lock It In
AMPLIFY THE WIN: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link) to thank them for their leadership in certifying compliance with the state’s DEI ban. ‘Thank you for your unanimous vote on Sept. 15 to prohibit DEI. This sets a strong example of fiscal responsibility and academic focus.’
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