The Round Rock ISD Citizens Bond Committee (CBC) presented recommendations to the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees at the Wednesday, February 12, 2014, called board meeting.
In their presentation, Co-Chairs Barbara Beto and Jeff French recommended that at minimum, the Board ask voters to approve a series of projects that would relieve ‘significant and severe overcrowding’ and cost average homeowners anywhere from $42 to $106 per year or $3.50 to $8.86 per month, depending on how many projects are funded yearly. The estimated annual cost to an average Round Rock ISD homeowner is based on median value home ($200,264) after homestead exemption.
The key projects recommended include:
- Construction of one elementary school to relieve overcrowding at Wells Branch Elementary School and one middle school to relieve overcrowding at Walsh Middle School.
- Construction of Fine Arts Venue(s)
- Completion of Phase 3b of the Master Plan previously approved for Round Rock High School, which adds an additional wing of classrooms.
- Completion of Phase 3 of the Master Plan previously approved for Westwood High School, which renovates existing classroom space into a STEM Academy, Business Academy and Special Education Suite.
- Development of a Master Plan and Phase I funding for McNeil High School and Agriculture project.
- Development of a Master Plan and Phase I funding for CD Fulkes Middle School.
- Funding for high school #6 planning and design.
- Purchase of 55 buses over a three-year period.
- Technology to refresh, replace, upgrade, and support existing inventory as well as network infrastructure upgrades, and additional laptop/tablet purchases.
- Renovations and additions to a number of schools to address increased need due to growth in the district.
- Infrastructure projects, including electrical, HVAC, roofing, flooring, and plumbing.
The CBC recommended splitting the $287 million bond into three propositions:
- Proposition 1 – $225.8 million to address growth, maintenance, and technology refresh
- Proposition 2 – $22.2 million to expand technology reach in the district
- Proposition 3 – $38.9 million to expand access to fine arts venues
The district’s debt tax rate has fluctuated between $0.295 and $0.3722 over the past 10 years, with the current tax rate of $0.3274 per $100 in assessed home value. If all three propositions pass on May 10, 2014, the expected tax rate could range between $0.3484 and $0.3805, depending on the manner in which projects are grouped for sale.
Even with the opening of eight new schools since 2009, demographic projections indicate that a number of elementary schools and one middle school will be significantly or severely crowded by 2018.
In November 2013, the Board instructed the committee to assess the capital improvements needed by Round Rock ISD through 2017 and to assess and comment on the anticipated capital improvements needed through 2019.
With more than 100 community volunteers, the CBC was asked to specifically consider District Growth, Safety and Health, Curriculum and Technology, and Infrastructure needs. Committee members represented all geographic areas and diverse demographics of the district. The committee structured itself into four subcommittees to consider categories of need: elementary, secondary, district-wide and technology, and finance.
The Board of Trustees could take action on calling for a bond during its Regular Board Meeting scheduled next Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014 at 7 p.m. in the Round Rock High School Lecture Hall. The Board has until Feb. 28, 2014 to decide if voters will be asked to consider a bond package on May 10, 2014.
