Complaint Filed with Texas AG Ken Paxton: Barbers Hill ISD Violating Public Information Act
I filed a Texas Public Information Act request with @BHISD on Jan 22, 2026. They invoiced Feb 5; I paid Feb 9. Contact David Bloom confirmed receipt Feb 17. As of Feb 27—no documents released. Follow-up Feb 23 ignored. This violates prompt production under Ch. 552. @KenPaxtonTX @TexasOAG please investigate this lack of transparency amid ongoing TEA probe & fiscal concerns. Attached timeline.
The overwhelming volume of highly concerning evidence suggesting improper or potentially illegal conduct at Barbers Hill ISD (@BHISD) is deeply disturbing.
Millions in taxpayer dollars earmarked for educating children have instead been transferred to the Barbers Hill Education Foundation (BHEF), a nonprofit that appears dominated by a network of individuals who either personally benefit from the foundation's activities or hold positions of control over the very public funds being directed into it.
At the center of this controversy is Nathan Watkins, a director of the BHEF who is currently running for Texas House District 23 in the Republican primary. Watkins, a former Mont Belvieu city manager and vice president at Americus Holdings, faces scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest—particularly ties between his employer, the foundation, and district-related deals (including land transactions and development partnerships that have drawn questions about below-market dealings and insider benefits). His campaign has received substantial donations from key figures connected to BHISD and the foundation, including Superintendent Greg Poole.
This arrangement raises serious questions about accountability, blurred lines between public institutions and private interests, and whether resources meant for students are being diverted or misused to protect interconnected networks.
Transparency and a thorough, independent investigation—potentially by the Texas Education Agency (which is already probing BHISD) or other authorities—are urgently needed to protect Texas kids, taxpayers, and the integrity of public education and elections. @TerriLeoWilson
The overwhelming volume of highly concerning evidence suggesting improper or potentially illegal conduct at Barbers Hill ISD (@BHISD) is deeply disturbing.
Millions in taxpayer dollars earmarked for educating children have instead been transferred to the Barbers Hill Education Foundation (BHEF), a nonprofit that appears dominated by a network of individuals who either personally benefit from the foundation's activities or hold positions of control over the very public funds being directed into it.
At the center of this controversy is Nathan Watkins, a director of the BHEF who is currently running for Texas House District 23 in the Republican primary. Watkins, a former Mont Belvieu city manager and vice president at Americus Holdings, faces scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest—particularly ties between his employer, the foundation, and district-related deals (including land transactions and development partnerships that have drawn questions about below-market dealings and insider benefits). His campaign has received substantial donations from key figures connected to BHISD and the foundation, including Superintendent Greg Poole.
This arrangement raises serious questions about accountability, blurred lines between public institutions and private interests, and whether resources meant for students are being diverted or misused to protect interconnected networks.
Transparency and a thorough, independent investigation—potentially by the Texas Education Agency (which is already probing BHISD) or other authorities—are urgently needed to protect Texas kids, taxpayers, and the integrity of public education and elections. @TerriLeoWilson
🚨BREAKING: New documents uncovered reveal a troubling land deal at Barbers Hill ISD (BHISD) that smells of insider trading and potential corruption. BHISD appears to have offered a "Proprietary Off-Market Acquisition" for land at 25-30% below market value—directly contradicting Texas Education Code 45.082, which prohibits school districts from selling real property for less than fair market value unless strict conditions are met.
The deal ties into Saturn Equities, where current Chambers County Judge candidate Ryan Dagely serves as a founding member, and Americus Holdings, where HD 23 candidate Nathan Watkins is Vice President. But it gets even more tangled: Chambers County Appraisal District (CAD) records show the two parcels were originally owned by Americus Holdings and sold to BHISD in 2021 through an intermediary named John Ballis.
Fast-forward to 2024: Those same properties were transferred per CAD records to Needlepoint Road MF LLC—a new entity created in August 2024 and managed by Andrew Schatte (Managing Partner of Americus Holdings) and Mark Brock (President of Americus). The transfer happened just three months later in November.
Is this government corruption prioritizing individual gain over the school district's mission to educate kids? Why the below-market deal? Who benefits from this web of connections?
Adding fuel: Public campaign finance records show Greg Poole (BHISD Superintendent), Ryan Dagely, and Andrew Schatte have donated at least $60,000 combined to Nathan Watkins' campaign. Coincidence? Or a coordinated effort to protect insider interests?
Texas taxpayers deserve answers. This isn't just about land—it's about trust in our public institutions. Demand an investigation! @KenPaxtonTX@GregAbbott_TX@GovHotWheels_TX@TexasScorecard@teainfo@hollyshansen@TerriLeoWilson
UPDATE: @BHISD Superintendent Greg Poole leverages district secretary for lawsuit docs targeting Rep. @TerriLeoWilson, blurring District-Foundation lines. Who filed: District or Foundation? Officially the Foundation, but lawsuit admits "Barbers Hill ISD Board of Trustees exercises significant control by virtue of the membership of the Education Foundation's governing board"—strengthening case it's ISD lawfare.
Political? Poole donated $25K to her opponent Watkins' campaign.
Is this election interference benefiting Watkins amid heated GOP primary? Taxpayer funds shouldn't fuel attacks on reps fighting for accountability.
@hollyshansen@teainfo@RobbyMontoya@KenPaxtonTX
Texas teachers show up every day for our students, often going above and beyond without enough recognition.
Representative @TerriLeoWilson helped deliver real teacher pay raises and meaningful classroom reforms that restore order, empower parents, and let teachers focus on teaching.
That’s leadership that strengthens our schools, respects educators, and invests in the future of Texas. #txlege
Barbers Hill ISD takes taxpayer dollars, launders them through its foundation, and invests them in a candidate challenging @TerriLeoWilson in HD23. Add Las Vegas casinobux to the mix and you’ve got the most corrupt House race this primary.
https://t.co/dXf7buiaVD
🚨Video alert: Barbers Hill ISD funneled $41M+ to its Education Foundation (per OpenTheBooks), yet Supt. Greg Poole—serving as BOTH district leader & Foundation Exec Director—says Texas 'can't touch our foundation.' Is public money being shielded? Watch & decide.
State Representative @TerriLeoWilson is One of Our Most Faithful #EliminatePropertyTax Legislators.
In the last 2 Regular and Special Sessions, Terri Authored and filed our #EliminatePropertyTax bill 3 times, recruited 12 Joint/Co-Authors, and joined in support of our 4 other Authors who filed our bill, too.
Be like Terri, #TXELGE
No Relief. No Reform. #EliminatePropertyTax
I’ve known @TerriLeoWilson for a long time. She is anti-DEI, pro-parent, and pro-family and she watches the public school curriculum like a hawk. She is for slashing property taxes and anyone who says otherwise is lying! 🤥 https://t.co/Vh7ghvUvGA
In 2024, Barbers Hill ISD's education foundation had $175 million in assets but only gave $106,240 in contributions and grants. The relationship between EFs and their ISDs has raised questions concerning personnel, the use of grant money and more. https://t.co/EZjxPbkO9R
Do you want babies to be adopted instead of aborted? State Rep. Terri Leo Wilson passed a bill last year to make sure young moms know about this beautiful option.
If you want to keep making a difference for families and children, vote for @TerriLeoWilson in Galveston and Chambers counties this March!
#TX2026 #ProLife