Voters to decide on $299.98 million bond package for Leander Independent School District

Voters to decide on $299.98 million bond package for Leander Independent School District

Friday, 07 April 2006

Taxpayers vote May 13 on a school bond package that, according to school officials, will provide the necessary resources for Leander ISD to accommodate its growing student population. The district projects its current 22,000 students to reach 33,341 students by 2010, and 48,405 students by 2015. Officials interpret this to mean that Leander ISD will enroll enough new students in each of the coming years to fill a new classroom every other day for the entire school year.

The largest bond package in LISD history began in December 2005 when a Citizens Facility Advisory Committee was organized. Composed of more than 100 parents and community members, the CFAC represented all areas of the district. The committee analyzed the projected growth of LISD and brought in a $453 million school construction bond recommendation, which was presented to a 15-member steering committee. The committee’s $325 million recommendation was presented to the LISD Board of Trustees in early March, and they propsed and approved a three-issue bond package for $299.98 million.

Breakdown of Bond Package

The maximum tax rate increase is set at three cents per year for each of the three years. The impact each year for a home valued at $150,000 would be an increase of $3.38 per month or $40.50 annually.

Proposition 1: $286.12 million

• Construction of 6 elementary schools and 1 middle school
• District technology facility and data center
• Design of 2 additional elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school
• Acquisition of land for 8 future elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools
• Addition of classroom wing at Cedar Park Middle School
• Expansion of LISD Support Services building and Transportation facility
• Portables for the administration building and master planning for future facility
• Purchase of 38 buses (32 for regular, 6 for special needs) spread over a 3-year replacement plan
• Improvements to existing high school athletic facilities
• Capitalization of 3-year computer replacement cycle
• Replacement of network infrastructure equipment
• Construction of two high school fine arts auditoriums
• Purchase and implementation of wireless technology at all facilities
• Miscellaneous existing campus improvements

Proposition 2: $6.86 million

Renovations to A.C. Bible Memorial Stadium including:

• Addition of 113 additional women and 58 additional men’s restrooms to accommodate the 12,000 seat stadium and bring it up to current building code
• Additions to lighting and sound system
• Replacement of artificial turf
• Additions to concession stands and ticket booths
• Construction of elevator to the press box to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements

Proposition 3: $7 million

Participation in a cooperative agreement with the YMCA, City of Cedar Park and a local rehabilitation hospital to build an indoor swimming facility.