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Heads up, taxpayers and parents: We’ve audited the upcoming ZAPATA COUNTY ISD agenda. There are 5 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 Vote
The board is scheduled to adopt the 2026 property tax rate, but the proposed rate and its impact on homeowner tax bills have not been published with the agenda. This prevents public scrutiny of the single most important financial decision the board makes all year.
Response
PACK THE ROOM: This is the vote that sets your school property tax bill. Contact the district office and demand they publish the proposed tax rate and a comparison to the no-new-revenue rate immediately. At the meeting, demand a roll-call vote and ask each board member to justify a vote for any rate higher than the no-new-revenue rate.
💰 Impact: The potential tax increase above the no-new-revenue rate, which is currently undisclosed.
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| 🚨 Alert (LEVEL 9) |
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Voting on an Unseen Budget
The board is voting to approve the entire 2026-2027 school year budget, but the budget document itself has not been made public with the agenda. This multi-million dollar spending plan is being approved without giving taxpayers a chance to see where their money is going.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the district office and demand the full proposed 2026-2027 budget be posted online immediately, well before the August 25th vote. It is unacceptable to vote on a budget the public has not been allowed to review.
💰 Impact: Potentially millions in wasteful or misaligned spending hidden from public view.
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| ⚠️ Warning (LEVEL 8) |
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Blank Check for Large Contracts
The agenda includes a single vote to approve all “Contracts/Purchases over $25,000” without listing the specific vendors, services, or individual costs. This bundles potentially controversial or expensive items into one up-or-down vote, avoiding public discussion and accountability.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the district office. Ask for a detailed list of every contract and purchase included under Item G.6, including the vendor, amount, and purpose. Demand this item be un-bundled so each contract can be discussed and voted on separately.
💰 Impact: The total value of all bundled contracts, which is currently unknown.
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 6) |
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Undisclosed Budget Amendment
The board is set to approve a budget amendment without providing any details on what is being changed. This could involve shifting significant funds between departments or programs, potentially funding new initiatives or covering shortfalls without public knowledge or input.
Response
ASK THE QUESTION: Contact the district’s finance department before the meeting. Ask for a copy of Budget Amendment BA24-25-06 to see exactly what money is being moved and for what purpose. This information should be public before the vote.
💰 Impact: Unknown amount of taxpayer funds being reallocated without explanation.
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| 🚩Watchlist (LEVEL 5) |
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Reviewing the New Student Rulebook
The board is approving the new Student Code of Conduct for the upcoming school year. This document governs everything from discipline and dress code to student rights. Without the document being attached to the agenda, parents cannot review potential changes that could affect their children or limit their rights.
Response
DEMAND TO SEE THE RULES: Contact the district and request a copy of the proposed 2026-2027 Student Code of Conduct. Parents have a right to review the rules that will govern their children at school before they are set in stone.
💰 Impact: Potential erosion of parental oversight or introduction of controversial disciplinary or social policies.
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