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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming THREE WAY ISD agenda. There are 6 items targeting parental consent and taxpayer funds that need your immediate attention before the gavel falls.
| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 10) |
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Secret Tax Rate and Budget Vote
The board is scheduled to discuss and possibly vote on the new 2026-27 budget, salary scales, and property tax rate, but has not published any of the relevant documents for public review. This prevents taxpayers from seeing the financial details or knowing if their taxes are going up before the meeting, effectively shutting them out of the most important fiscal decisions of the year.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: This is a vote on your tax bill and the district’s spending, but the documents are secret. Contact the board and demand they postpone the vote on Items VI.9 and VI.10 until the proposed budget and tax rate calculation worksheet are posted online for public review.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed. The potential for a tax hike above the no-new-revenue rate is hidden from the public.
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| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
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Undisclosed ‘Public Private Partnership’ Deals
The agenda includes an action item on ‘Public Private Partnership contracts’ with no explanation and no attached documents. These partnerships can be used to create long-term financial obligations or lease-purchase schemes that function like debt but without voter approval. Voting on this without public documents is a major transparency failure.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the board regarding Item VI.2: ‘What specific contracts are being considered? Postpone this vote until the full contracts and financial implications are made public. Taxpayers will not approve a blank check for secret partnerships.’
💰 Impact: Unknown. Could be millions in non-voter-approved obligations.
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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Funneling Tax Dollars to Austin Lobbyists
The board is voting to switch its insurance provider to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) for an annual cost of $39,251. While TASB provides services, it is also one of the most powerful lobbying organizations in Austin, often working against property tax relief, school choice, and parental rights. This contract sends local tax dollars to fund their lobbying operations.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the board and ask: ‘Why are we sending nearly $40,000 to an Austin lobby group? Can we find an insurance provider that doesn’t use our money to lobby against taxpayers? I demand a roll-call vote on Item VI.1.’
💰 Impact: $39,251 annually to a lobby group.
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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Secret Budget Amendment
The board plans to amend the current 2025-26 budget without providing any documents explaining what is being changed. This allows for last-minute spending shifts or covering up overspending without public scrutiny. The district’s own financial reports show several departments, including administration and security, are already over budget.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the board regarding Item VI.8: ‘What specific line items are being amended and for what amounts? Postpone this vote until a detailed budget amendment document is provided to the public.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed. Could be used to hide overspending or reallocate funds to controversial projects.
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 7) |
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Public Funds Paid to Private Religious School
The district’s financial reports reveal significant payments to ‘Cornerstone Christian.’ The July check register shows a payment of $19,139.61, and the budget summary notes that a 2,386% overage in an ‘Instruction’ line item is ‘related to payments to Cornerstone Christian.’ The reason for these substantial payments of public funds to a private religious institution is not explained.
Response
FOLLOW THE MONEY: During Citizen Comments, ask the board to explain the purpose of the $19,139 payment and the $68,600 budget overage for ‘Cornerstone Christian.’ What services are being provided, and is this the best use of taxpayer dollars?
💰 Impact: At least $19,139.61 in July, with a total overage of $68,600 in the related budget line.
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Bypassing State’s Armed Officer Mandate
The board is voting on a resolution to claim a ‘good cause exception’ to the state law (HB 3) requiring an armed peace officer on every campus. The district cites a ‘lack of available funding’ as the reason. While the law allows this exception, parents and taxpayers should be aware that the board is formally stating it cannot meet the state’s mandated security standard.
Response
ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS: Contact the board regarding Item VI.3: ‘What specific steps were taken to secure funding or personnel before seeking this exception? What is the ‘alternative standard’ for security that will be implemented, and how does it compare to the state requirement?’
💰 Impact: A potential reduction in the mandated level of school security.
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