CORRECTION: AISD proposes Bond for May election

CORRECTION: AISD proposes Bond for May election

Written by Rachel Youens Friday, 11 April 2008

EDITOR'S NOTE: The information originally printed in Community Impact Newspaper regarding the actual projected tax impact on a home valued at $200,000 was incorrect. The correct numbers are listed below.

Austin School Trustees voted unanimously to call a $343.7 million bond election on May 10 to finance campus improvements and to construct new facilities. The Austin district’s last bond election was in 2004 for $519.5 million and provided eight new schools and land and improvement for many others.The bond proposal includes three propositions that address overcrowding, academics, safety, renovations and other district needs. The district has also approved a resolution to appoint a bond oversight committee to monitor the spending of bond money, should the bonds pass.

The following features a list of the propositions and the items they include. Those propositions affecting north Austin have been highlighted.

Proposition 1

Tax rate impact: 0.9¢ (9/10¢ per $100 valuation) - $18 on a $200k home

Total amount: $187,797,315

Relief for overcrowding and support for academic achievement

• Linder Early Childhood Center - $21,600,000
  • This south Austin school is the district’s most crowded, the early childhood center for kinder and prekindergarten would help to relieve some of the overcrowding.
• Land acquisition for Linder center - $2,400,000
• Barrington Elementary School - $4,313,318
  • eight classroom addition
• Hart Elementary School - $4,442,242
  • eight classroom addition
• Langford Elementary School – $4,367,607
  • eight classroom addition
• Undesignated Elementary School - $25,168,951
• Land acquisition for undesignated elementary school - $2,574,800
• Auditorium renovation at Lanier and McCallum high schools - $16,742,000
• High school science laboratory additions and renovations to meet new science requirements beginning 2010 - $36,338,317
• Technology upgrades - $69,850,000

Proposition 2

Tax rate impact: 0.4¢ (4/10¢ per $100 valuation) - $8 on a $200k home

Total amount: $73,920,504

• Addresses health, safety and environmental needs
• Campus cafeteria kitchen renovations required by the Health Department - $1,852,787
• Manchaca Elementary School internal roadway - $826,836
• Purchase of low-emission school buses - $12,205,600
• Capacitor bank installation to improve and balance power demand for all facilities - $14,569,913
• Critical renovation at various campuses - $37,213,068
• Upgrade of payroll software - $1,045,000
• Replacement of cold-storage warehouse - $6,207,300

Proposition 3

Tax rate impact: 0.4¢ (4/10¢ per $100 valuation) - $8 on a $200k home

Total amount: $82,000,000

• Districtwide performing arts center and land acquisition - $40,000,000
• Land acquisition for high school in south Austin - $32,000,000
• Fine arts program and classroom additions at Anderson High School - $10,000,000

AISD superintendent to retire

Austin school district Superintendent Pat Forgione has announced he will retire from his position as superintendent on June 30, 2009.

“This year I begin my 40th year of service in public education and look toward my 10th year as superintendent of this wonderful school district,” Forgione said. “When you step back, it is amazing to see how much we have accomplished together.”

Forgione informed the board during its executive session Feb. 18 in order to give the board time to select a strong successor and for that successor to work with Forgione to provide a smooth transition.

“While we regret the fact that all good things must come to an end,” AISD Board President Mark Williams said, “we celebrate Dr. Forgione’s service to the children of Austin and to the Austin community as a whole. Under his leadership, this district has changed dramatically for the better. We are in a strong financial position, we have a strong curriculum, and we have great talent throughout the district.”

Forgione said after leaving AISD he hopes to spend more time with his wife Kaye and with his adult children, who live across the country. He also mentioned that there may be a few more paths he wants to explore in his career.

“There is always much more to do, and my passion for public education and the Austin School District has never waned,” Forgione said.