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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming VENUS ISD agenda and found 7 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 9) |
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Tax Rate ‘Cut’ Hides $313 Property Tax Hike
The district’s own Taxpayer Impact Statement (Item 28.A) shows that while the tax rate is slightly decreasing, the tax bill for the median homeowner will increase by $313. This is due to rising property appraisals, meaning the district is collecting significantly more money from taxpayers while claiming a ‘cut’.
Response
This is not a tax cut. Email the Venus ISD Board (contact info on the district website) and ask: ‘Regarding the Taxpayer Impact Statement, why are you increasing the tax burden on families by over $300 while claiming to cut the rate? Adopt the no-new-revenue rate to provide genuine relief.’
💰 Impact: $313 Tax Hike
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| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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District Budget Shows $1.5 Million Deficit
The district’s approved budget for FY 2026-2027 (Item 28.B) shows a total deficit of over $1.5 million, with a $1.39 million shortfall in the Debt Service fund alone. This indicates the district is spending more than it takes in, which is fiscally unsustainable and could lead to future tax hikes or emergency cuts.
Response
Email the Venus ISD Board (contact info on the district website): ‘The approved budget shows a $1.5 million deficit. What is the plan to close this gap without further burdening taxpayers or taking on more debt?’
💰 Impact: $1.5M Deficit
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Secret ‘Turnaround Plan’ for Two Schools up for Vote
The board will vote to approve a ‘Turnaround Plan’ for Venus Elementary and Middle Schools (Item 21), but the plan itself has not been published with the agenda. This prevents parents and taxpayers from reviewing potentially major changes to curriculum, staffing, or spending before they are approved.
Response
Show up to the meeting and demand the board postpone the vote on Item 21. Email the Board: ‘Do not vote on the Turnaround Plan until the full text is published for public review. Parents and taxpayers deserve to see the plan before you approve it.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Policy Changes
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| WARNING (LEVEL 6) |
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Vague ‘Maximum Price’ for New High School
A construction firm will present a ‘Guaranteed Maximum Price’ for the new high school (Item 9). The agenda provides no details on the total cost or, more importantly, how taxpayers will pay for it—is this from an approved bond or a setup for future debt without voter approval?
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS. Email the Venus ISD Board: ‘Regarding Item 9, what is the total Guaranteed Maximum Price for the new high school, and what is the funding source? Will this require new debt or a future bond election?’
💰 Impact: Potential Future Debt
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague ‘Co-Op’ Payments Could Fund Lobbying
The board will review ‘Cooperative Fees’ (Item 10) and approve a ‘Multi Region Co-Op Agreement’ (Item 19). These vague items could include payments to organizations like the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), which lobby against taxpayer interests, but the agreements are not attached for public review.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Email the Venus ISD Board: ‘Regarding Items 10 and 19, please provide a list of all organizations being paid and the amounts. Does any of this money go to TASB or other lobbying groups?’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Fees
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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Undisclosed Library Book Purchase on Consent Agenda
The board plans to approve a ‘Library Book Purchase’ (Item 18.B) as part of the bundled consent agenda, with no list of books or total cost provided. This process avoids public discussion on what materials are being purchased for students with taxpayer money.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Email the Venus ISD Board: ‘Pull Item 18.B from the Consent Agenda. The public deserves to see a list of the books and the total cost before you approve the purchase.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed
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✅ Wins for Taxpayers
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Win (LEVEL 4) |
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District Saves Money by Accepting Donated Equipment
The board is set to approve accepting a gift of device storage carts from DeSoto ISD (Item 22). This common-sense move saves taxpayer money by acquiring needed equipment at no cost.
How to Lock It In
Email the board to thank them for their fiscal prudence on Item 22. ‘Thank you for saving taxpayer dollars by accepting the donated storage carts from DeSoto ISD. This is the kind of responsible stewardship we need.’
✅ Why It Matters: Taxpayer Savings
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