Citizens help develop RRISD school bond package

Citizens help develop RRISD school bond package

Written by Autumn Rhea Carpenter Friday, 07 July 2006

The most recent successful school bond election was in February 2000 and included two propositions totaling $199 million.

Since that successful bond election six years ago, more than 6,500 new students have enrolled in RRISD, equivalent to adding the populations of eight elementary schools, five large middle schools or three high schools.

When Round Rock ISD’s bond package failed last year with one proposition for $349 million, the school board decided to take action to ensure that the new bond passed.

Citizen’s committee

In April, a Citizen’s Bond Committee was formed consisting of more than 100 community members including some who opposed the failed bond proposal.

“Committees have always been part of the bond process,” said Diana Maldonado, RRISD school board president. “This time we created a much larger committee, which later split into six sub-committees. It was important that we included a wide array of input throughout the district, so we invited people who voted against the bond to participate in the research.”

The sub-committees met an average of ten times throughout their study, visiting each school to determine critical needs.

“This committee was unique in that it was more inclusive, and everyone involved really understood the process,” Maldonado said.

Identified issues

The committee researched overcrowding, technology, transportation and code regulations.

“Overcrowding means not only crowded classrooms,” said Tricia Greim, a parent and CBC participant, “but also transportation issues, main kitchen problems, and overall wear and tear on existing facilities not originally intended for the number of children currently using them.”

The committee determined technology should be included in the bond, so that Round Rock students are able to remain competitive.

“Colleges and companies demand technologically-advanced students and employees,” Greim said. “Technology is a necessity for every child growing up in the 21st century and we want our children to be productive, contributing members of society.”

School bond proposal

At the June 22 school board meeting, the board unanimously called for a bond election, Nov. 7, asking voters to approve funding for capital improvement projects totaling $267 million divided into four propositions.

Critics call the proposed high school too expensive but Maldonado argued that this issue is not unusual.

“More than 100 citizens have devoted an incredible amount of time analyzing information with a fine tooth comb by comparing our growth to other school districts,” she said. “Most of those against the bond package are people who have not been involved in the entire process. It is impossible to make everyone happy.”

The proposed $83 million is a slight decrease from last year’s proposal of $91 million for the high school and the change will make the budget tight.

“We are not that far away from the original bond price on the high school,” said Maldonado. “With building material costs rising, we will be stretching it tight now with the current budget.”

Tax Relief

But the board also approved using $.02 of the debt service fund balance to buy down the projected tax rate of $.36 to $.34 through 2011. The average value home in the district for the 2006 tax year is $169,869. The debt tax rate for the coming tax year is projected to be $.30. Based on a $.34 tax rate, the total monthly increase to the average homeowner in the district to pay for this bond package would be an additional $5.66 per month.

Maldonado applauds the CBC’s effort and is confident this bond package will pass in November.

“This is a united school board, all advocating for the bond’s success,” she said. “We will be visiting home owner associations and citizen’s groups to educate the public. It is important, that as stakeholders, the support momentum continues in order to ensure bond passage.”

Four propositions will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot:

• Proposition 1 $152,920,000 – secondary school improvements • new middle school in Walsh Ranch subdivision on Sam Bass Road to open 2008-09 • high school on Gattis School Road to open in 2009-10,
  • master plans and additions to Westwood and Round Rock, and additions to Opportunity Center and Stony Point High School. • classroom renovations at McNeil.
• Proposition 2 $85,350,000 - addresses elementary improvements: • build Patsy Sommer ES in Avery Ranch and another in the Turtle Creek neighborhood near A.W. Grimes Blvd., to open 2007-08.
• Proposition 3 $20,285,000 - funds a third elementary school for future
• Proposition 4 $9,110,000 technology improvements and expansion