Round Rock ISD's Citizens Bond Committee has begun the process of evaluating the district's needs in order to deliver a robust list of recommendations to the board of trustees by February.

Representatives from the committee gave an update on its progress at the board's Dec. 19 meeting. Jeff French, co-chair of the Citizens Bond Committee, said the group has learned about various topics pertaining to the district including Williamson County's appraisal district, RRISD's growth, demographics, special education, performing arts and technology. RRISD hired demographics and planning company Templeton Demographics to assist with determining the district's growth projection figures.

The bond committee was formed in the fall after the trustees discussed a potential May 2014 bond election at its Oct. 17 board meeting. There are four subcommittees of the Citizens Bond Committee—elementary, secondary, finance, and district and technology.

Co-chair Barbara Beto said based on community input, demographic projections from Templeton and other feedback, the community could support a $200 million bond package, but that this is only based on information the committee has received thus far. Beto said the preliminary view at this time reflects that the community might not support a bond election greater than $300 million.

"We're going to get a larger than life list of needs for the district," Beto said. "We want many report[s] from Templeton [Demographics] to make sure that when we say that we are building a new school, that we need it. There's no doubt that the needs are great. There is no doubt that growth is coming. That is the black and white. The part that is grey that we are not ready to get to is what is the best way to fix it."

Trustee Terri Romere said when the committee makes their recommendations to the board in February, she would like to see a complete list of district needs before whittling down which projects may make the cut for a final recommendation list. Romere said she also wants to see the complete list the district's 2008 Citizens Bond Committee came up with.

"I would like to see the whole list. And then I would like to see it prioritized and presented," Romere said.

Because of the district's rapid growth, the board is considering a 2014 bond election. In the 2013–14 school year, RRISD has three elementary schools that are at more than 125 percent capacity, according to district officials. Eight of its 10 middle schools are at more than 100 percent capacity. The potential bond election could include funding for an 11th middle school and a 34th elementary school in the district to address overcrowding and accommodate future growth.

The district has increased by 15,000 students in 13 years, which is about 1,000 new students per year, said Ramiro Flores, RRISD's deputy superintendent of administration.

Trustees have until Feb. 28 to call a May bond election. For more information about the Citizens Bond Committee, visit the website.

Other meeting highlights:

The board of trustees elected the 2014–15 board officers. Current board president Catherine Hanna and vice president Diane Cox were reelected into their respective positions. Trustee Terri Romere was elected as board secretary.

Phase 3 construction on Round Rock High School's Master Plan is 44 percent complete. Construction is expected to be completed July 1.

Success High School is expected to be completed July 15.

The agriculture facility at Stony Point High School is currently 60 percent complete and is expected to be finished Jan. 21.