A potential bond election and the transition of Austin ISD into an arts-rich school district were key points in Superintendent Meria Carstarphen's State of the District address Nov. 13 at the Toney Burger Center.

"Our district is strong both financially and academically—for now," she said. She reminded attendees that during the last legislative session, the district's budget was cut by $60 million. "We will never get that money back," she said.

An AISD bond could mean the average taxpayer with a $200,000 home would pay about $69 per year or $5.75 per month, she said.

Carstarphen spoke to parents, teachers and students about the need for such funding for improvements to schools throughout the district, and pointed out that while students have made academic gains, it will take ingenuity and teamwork to continue on that pace.

The cost of upgrading district facilities is estimated at $350 million, she said. Addressing overcrowding in AISD with new schools, additions and expanded programs would bring that number to $850 million, she added.

It has been four years since the last district bond. The Austin ISD board of trustees has not yet approved a future bond election but has approved the timeline for its 2013 bond package, enabling such an election to take place as soon as May.

Carstarphen explained that AISD's board approved a citizens bond advisory committee (CBAC) that reviewed the district's academic and facility needs such as safety, security and technology. The CBAC presented a timeline and is expected to present the preliminary scope of work for the bond package to the board Jan. 14. Carstarphen also mentioned a tax ratification election might be in the works for the district.

"Texas does not fund school facilities for districts like Austin," Carstarphen said. "Our only option to address serious facility needs is to rely on bond funding, which in 2008 funded new schools like Gorzycki, Baldwin and our new north central elementary school in rapidly growing parts of town to address overcrowding."

Carstarphen also referenced fine arts improvements being considered by the board of trustees. The proposed Any Given Child Fine Arts program would provide AISD teachers with arts-based teaching strategies, collaborate with Austin artists, and improve arts facilities and resources in the district. It is expected to be voted on by the board of trustees at its Dec. 17 meeting.

She also pointed to the possibility of completing construction on a districtwide arts center to accommodate larger audiences and support the district's transition to an arts-rich district.

Arts organizations including high school marching bands, cheerleaders, choirs and dance teams performed before the address, with 757 elementary school students, 1,201 middle school students and 2,359 high school students participating, according to AISD. The night ended with an AISD staff flash mob set to the song "Thriller."