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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming STEPHENVILLE ISD agenda and found 6 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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District Funds Used for SEL Curriculum
The district’s check registry includes a $100 payment for a ‘Little Spot’ curriculum to teach Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms. This confirms the district is spending taxpayer money on programs that can introduce controversial psychological concepts into early education, a role many parents believe belongs to them.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Board: ‘I demand the Check Registry, part of Consent Agenda Item IV, be pulled for a separate vote. Why is the district funding SEL curriculum for our youngest students? Parents, not the school, should be guiding emotional development.’
💰 Impact: Politicizing the Classroom
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Student Mental Health Program May Bypass Parents
The district is spending $1,000 to renew the ‘Signs of Suicide’ program, as shown in the check registry. While well-intentioned, these programs often include mandatory mental health screenings or surveys for students that can occur without transparent, opt-in parental consent, raising significant student privacy concerns.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email the Board: ‘Regarding the $1,000 ‘Signs of Suicide’ program renewal in the Check Registry (Item IV), will parents be required to opt-in before any student is surveyed? Please provide a copy of all survey questions for public review before the vote.’
💰 Impact: Student Data Harvesting
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Taxpayer Money Spent on DEI Initiatives
A small but significant payment of $34.28 for ‘DEI LETTERS’ is listed in the check registry. This confirms the district is spending resources on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which often lead to divisive, politically-charged policies and distract from core academics.
Response
PULL THE ITEM: Email the Board: ‘Please pull the Check Registry from the Consent Agenda (Item IV) for discussion. What is the purpose and total cost of the district’s DEI initiatives, referenced in the payment for ‘DEI LETTERS’?’
💰 Impact: Mission Drift on Taxpayer Dime
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
Agenda Item VI proposes an ‘annual licensing purchase for the security camera system’ but provides no contract, cost, or vendor details. This lack of transparency prevents taxpayers from knowing if new surveillance capabilities with data privacy implications are being added or how much of their money is being spent.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file attached to Item VI in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether it contains hidden costs or expanded student surveillance.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| WATCH (LEVEL 4) |
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No Public List of New Library Books
The board will be briefed on ‘Newly Purchased Library Books’ under Item IX, but a list of these books has not been made public with the agenda. This prevents parents and taxpayers from reviewing materials being purchased with their money for potential age-inappropriate or ideological content.
Response
REQUEST THE LIST: Email the Board: ‘Please publicly post the full list of titles for ‘Newly Purchased Library Books’ under Item IX before the meeting so parents can review them.’
💰 Impact: Lack of Transparency
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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District Doubles Threshold for Tracking Assets
Under Item VII, the board is voting to double the capitalization threshold for assets from $5,000 to $10,000. This accounting change means items costing up to $9,999 will no longer be tracked as long-term district assets, reducing transparency in how taxpayer-funded property is managed.
Response
ASK FOR JUSTIFICATION: Email the Board regarding Item VII: ‘What is the fiscal justification for doubling the asset capitalization threshold to $10,000? How will the district ensure accountability for items expensed under this new, higher limit?’
💰 Impact: Reduced Asset Transparency
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