Members of the Austin Community College board of trustees disagree on whether to start discussing a May 11 bond election.

During the board's Nov. 5 meeting, trustees Allen Kaplan and Victor Villarreal agreed the board should start thinking about the bond election now.

Kaplan said the board should begin forming a bond committee as soon as possible to start reviewing the priorities of facilities needs for each campus.

"I noticed our attorneys have proposed a timeline, which would take us to a May 11, 2013, election. This is very much a political question," Kaplan said.

After the Nov. 6 election, Kaplan said, the board will be able to see how the community feels about spending tax dollars. Voters are deciding on $385 million worth of bond propositions for the City of Austin.

Villarreal and Kaplan said they do not want ACC to get left behind as other bond elections will take place within the city in the coming years.

"I don't want to see the college get left behind the curve," Villarreal said.

ACC Vice Chairman Jeffrey Richard said he disagreed because it is premature to discuss a bond program when ACC's academic master plan will not be completed until the spring.

"What I sense is the general feeling to get something done because there is a window, that is, to strike while the iron is hot, but I don't get a sense of what we want to forge with the iron," Richard said.

The board has until Feb. 25 to decide whether to place a bond election on the May 11 ballot, Kaplan said. Trustees will revisit the issue at the Dec. 3 board meeting.

Approved action items

In other business, the board approved renovation projects at ACC campuses, including:

Renovating three buildings at the Cypress Creek campus. The Student Services Office has outgrown its space, and the project will allocate three new buildings to the office. The project will cost about $85,000 and is expected to be completed during winter break.

Adding a new air conditioning system at the Child Development Lab on the Eastview campus. The project includes attic insulation and ventilation, improvements to ductwork, and replacement of existing air conditioners. The project will cost about $50,000 and will be finished during spring break.

Adding a new heating and air conditioning system to the Pinnacle campus with new duct heaters, controls and improvements to the electrical system. The project will also involve repairs to existing ductwork.

Funding will come from the district's Facilities Improvement Budget.