Proposed projects for a potential $889 million Austin ISD bond package include four new elementary schools, a college preparatory school for young men, plans for design and feasibility of a new south high school, and renovations at several sites.
A citizen's bond advisory committee (CBAC) presented these options to the AISD board of trustees Jan. 14 as part of its proposed scope of work for a May bond. The board has not yet called for a bond election, but it could call for one by the end of February in accordance with the CBAC's proposed bond timeline, according to board President Vincent Torres.
AISD's current tax rate is $1.24 per $100 of property value, according to the CBAC. To fund the bond, AISD would need a 3.5 cent increase to its interest and sinking (I&S) budget that would be implemented in fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016. Austin residents' property taxes would increase during each of those years by $70 per year, or $5.83 per month for a $200,000 home, according to the CBAC. AISD officials noted the tax would not increase for residents age 65 and older.
CBAC whittles bond projects
The CBAC, consisting of students, community leaders and business leaders, reviewed the needs of the district and met 16 times to discuss findings about the district's needs and to determine what projects they wanted to include in the bond.
"The CBAC members have served over 1,350 hours collectively, and we have also added some additional meetings to our schedule to continue based on the direction [from the board]," said Carolyn Merritt, one of the committee's co-chairpersons.
The result is its proposed scope of work, which includes improvements in four proposition categories. Projects the CBAC is recommending for the potential bond package are:
Proposition 1
Health, Environment, Equipment, and Technology: approximately $131 million
- Food services campus improvements
- Maintenance, facility and equipment
- Transportation (districtwide)
- Technology (districtwide)
- Classroom/science labs fixtures and equipment
- Energy conservation (districtwide)
Proposition 2
Safety and Security, Relief from Overcrowded Schools: approximately $264 million
- Safety and security (districtwide)
- Classroom additions based on demographics for Blazier Elementary School, Cook Elementary School, Doss Elementary School, Perez Elementary School, Pillow Elementary School, Burnet Middle School and Murchison Middle School
- Four new elementary schools located based on student population growth
- Land acquisition
- Functional equity additions
- Individual campus plan addition requests
- Fine arts special addition at Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
- Athletics addition at Anderson High School
- New South High School (feasibility and design)
Proposition 3
Academic and Building Infrastructure Renovations to Safeguard Investments in District Campuses: approximately $349 million
- Facility systemic repairs
- Individual campus plan renovations
- Campus library improvements
Proposition 4
Support for Academic Initiatives, Fine Arts and Athletics: approximately $144 million
- Career and technology education facility improvement
- Fine arts facility improvements
- Physical education and athletics facility improvements
- Special education facility improvements
- School for young men facility renovations
Trustees discuss proposed projects' cost
For a May bond, the Department of Justice requires notice be given no later than March 1.
"In order to make sure that we aren't pushing ourselves to that limit, we are going to try and take action on this particular item by the end of February," Torres said.
The board plans to discuss the potential bond package at three more meetings and at an upcoming board retreat, Torres said. In the meantime, trustees asked questions of the CBAC.
Trustee Lori Moya sought clarification on how the budget was calculated.
"When we talk about the new south high school, feasibility and design only, it's $8 million. Feasibility for what? I mean, we know we're going to do one," she said.
She added the proposed budget seemed to be based on an estimate for construction of a new facility, though the decision on whether to build a new school or renovate an existing facility has not been made.
"I'm not in favor of brand-new construction of a comprehensive high school," she said. "What I would like to see for South Austin is something completely different."
Torres explained the bond package budget is based on an estimate of the highest possible expenditure.
Board considers funding concerns
The $889 million bond would rely on the I&S portion of the budget, but the maintenance and operations (M&O) budget will also be affected by costs of changes including adding personnel and utility expenses and instructional materials associated with a new facility. The approximate annual cost for each proposed new facility would be $915,000, which includes an initial $250,000 startup cost to fund necessary personnel, according to board documents.
"This is a big, big number," trustee Robert Schneider said, asking how a bond election could fit into the timeline for a potential tax ratification election (TRE), another option the board has discussed.
The CBAC said the district will have to spend M&O money on systematic repairs if it doesn't hold a bond election.
Superintendent Meria Carstarphen explained the board will watch for developments in the legislative session, and the district is still in the middle of a school finance lawsuit filed by Thompson & Horton LLP, which is expected to conclude by mid-February.
"Under no circumstances under the timeline that we have for a May 2013 consideration do we think that it would be at all prudent to put the burden of a potential TRE on the taxpayers first without having those answers," she said.
Underscoring the state of the district's financial outlook, AISD Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley-Abram told trustees the financial forecast includes a $38 million shortfall in revenue for fiscal year 2014—and that's if there are no additional budget cuts.
"We've pretty much exhausted the magic in terms of efficiencies and cuts," she said, adding the board could now face "ugly" options to balance the budget, including possibly closing schools.
Public hearings about the bond are scheduled for Jan. 22 at Crockett High School and Jan. 29 at Reagan High School. Read the CBAC's proposed scope of work.
