Ballot will include four propositions for repairs, upgrades and new schools

On Feb. 25, the Austin ISD board of trustees unanimously approved an order calling for a May 11 bond election, leaving it up to voters to decide whether to approve $892 million for new schools and upgrades to AISD facilities.

Board President Vincent Torres said even if the bond passes, it will not undo the damage done by legislative cuts to public education.

"The cuts were on the [maintenance and operations] side and the personnel side," he said. "With what the Legislature did, we have to try to fund and make repairs out of the M&O side, and we lose 45 cents for every dollar we collect [because of state recapture]."

Bond dollars, on the other hand, are not subject to state recapture, so all funds collected for facilities improvements go directly to the district.

Community support

If Austin voters approve all four propositions, the bond would provide funding for improvements in categories including technology, building infrastructure, academic initiatives, fine arts, athletics and relief from overcrowding. The district's Citizens' Bond Advisory Committee developed the propositions.

During citizens communication, many attendees said they supported the bond.

Ronda Roach, a mother of three, said she is willing to work tirelessly to spread the word about it in the community.

"My children will not see the improvements made by this bond package, but it is crucial for the future success of AISD and its students to have our facilities brought up to date," she said, adding: "I am not alone in my willingness to work hard and get this bond passed. You will have an army of concerned parents throughout AISD working on behalf of our students to get the bond passed."

Representatives from McCallum High School attended with colorful signs thanking the board for its addition of a dedicated dance studio to the bond package following many requests for the studio from students, staff and parents at the school.

Attendee Cynthia Valadez questioned the functional equity of the bond and said the board should consider conducting an economic assessment of bond funding allocation compared with the need on the east and west sides of I-35.

Parent Jill Spencer said if the district does not address facilities problems, AISD could see more families opting to move to Austin suburbs or to private schools.

"We need the bond sooner rather than later," she said. "The CBAC did their homework, and there is no need for a drawn-out study."

Torres thanked members of the board, the CBAC and the community for their input in the bond process.

"This [feedback] is so valuable to us to make sure that we're grounded in making sure we're doing the right thing for students in this district," Torres said.

Trustee cautions against 'Band-Aid' approach

Austin ISD board trustee Robert Schneider pointed out that much of the nearly $900 million bond will fund "Band-Aid" solutions and systemic repairs.

He estimated that with that amount of money, the district could replace 40 percent of its elementary schools, 50 percent of its middle schools or 60 percent of its high schools. During a six-year period, the district could replace every school in the district, he said.

"Where I think we need to get away from is continually relying on bonds to do basic facility maintenance," he said.

He said he wants to have a detailed discussion with board members about the way the district funds its facilities but voted for the bond to enable voters to have the opportunity to decide for themselves what to support.

How much the bond would cost: $892,245,000

For an Austin resident with a $200,000 home, property tax bills would increase by about $70 per year, or $5.83 per month, according to Austin ISD.

Homeowners older than 65 who have an existing, approved tax ceiling certification would not see any change on their property tax bills.

The effect on Austin businesses' property taxes would be approximately $178 annually for a business valued at $509,385, according to the district.

If the proposed 3.5 cent tax increase is approved for the proposed 2013 bond program, AISD would still have the second-lowest tax rate among Austin-area districts.

Early voting will begin April 29 and last through May 7.

Source: Austin ISD

What the bond would pay for

Proposition 1: $140,566,000 for health, environment, safety, security, equipment and technology

• Science programs
• Technology systems and equipment
• Promotion of energy conservation and efficiency
• Cafeteria and food service facilities
• District maintenance and facilities services
• Purchasing new school buses

Proposition 2: $233,950,000 for safety and security, and relief from overcrowding

• Three new elementary schools
• Promotion of safety and security
• Expansion, renovation and addition of classrooms, as well as fine arts and physical education and athletics facilities
• Purchase of sites for school buildings

Proposition 3: $349,165,000 for academic and building infrastructure renovations

• Repair, improve and replace facility systems throughout the district including roofing, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electric systems and flooring
• Rehabilitation, renovation and improvement of libraries
• Traffic safety improvements

Proposition 4: $168,564,000 for academic initiatives, fine arts and athletics

• Career and technology education and development
• Fine arts
• Physical education and athletics
• Special education
• Converting the Ridgeview Campus (the former Anderson High School campus) to a school for young men, and purchase of school buses

For more information about the AISD bond, visit www.austinisd.org/bond. The AISD site also includes an interactive map parents can use to see what funding from the bond goes toward local schools. See how the bond would affect your school here: https://www.aust inisd.org/bond/ interactive-map

Source: Austin ISD