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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming VAN ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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Vote Scheduled on 2026 Property Tax Burden
The board will vote to approve the 2026 tax roll levy. The agenda does not state whether the proposed rate is the ‘no-new-revenue’ rate or a higher rate that would increase the total tax burden on property owners.
Response
SHOW UP & SPEAK UP: Attend the meeting on November 16th. Contact the Van ISD Board: ‘Regarding Item VI.C, I urge you to adopt the no-new-revenue tax rate. Any rate higher is a tax increase on Van families and businesses, regardless of the rate itself.’
💰 Impact: Higher Property Taxes
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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District Proposes Slowing Public Records Access
The board will vote on a resolution to designate additional ‘nonbusiness days’ for the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA). This is a bureaucratic maneuver that allows the district to legally delay its response to public records requests from parents and taxpayers, weakening a key tool for government accountability.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Van ISD Board before the meeting. ‘Regarding Item VI.A, vote NO on designating extra nonbusiness days. The Texas Public Information Act is a cornerstone of accountability, and any attempt to legally delay responses harms transparency for parents and taxpayers.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague ‘Budget Change’ Hidden on Consent Agenda
Item V.B on the Consent Agenda is a ‘budget change request’ with no supporting documents or dollar amounts provided. Bundling undefined financial changes into a single, un-debated vote prevents public scrutiny of how taxpayer money is being reallocated.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Email the Van ISD Board: ‘Pull Item V.B, the budget change request, from the Consent Agenda for a separate discussion and vote. Taxpayers deserve to know what money is being moved and why before it is approved without discussion.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Vote on Campus Improvement Plans, Details Undisclosed
The board is scheduled to approve the 2026-2027 Campus Improvement Plans. These documents often contain details on new curriculum, ‘social-emotional learning’ (SEL) programs, or other initiatives, but the plans themselves were not attached to the public agenda for parent review.
Response
INVESTIGATE: The ‘Campus Improvement Plans’ in Item VI.B are not attached to the public agenda. Contact the district office and demand these plans be posted online immediately so parents can review them for SEL, DEI, or other politically-driven initiatives before the board votes.
💰 Impact: Hidden SEL/DEI Spending
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