The Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees honored Trustee Terri Romere’s seven years of service to the District, opened public input on the 2017-2018 Academic Calendar and heard a presentation on the facility feasibility study at its Jan. 19 regular Board meeting.

Public comment now open for 2017-2018 academic calendar

The Board opened public comment on the proposed 2017-2018 academic calendar. Public input will be gathered between Jan. 20 and Feb. 6.

A team comprised of District and campus administrators, as well as parents, designed the draft calendars in alignment with the most recent calendars. The calendar features an Aug. 22, 2017 start of school date, a full week break at Thanksgiving, 13 school days in December and the completion of the year by Memorial Day. The calendar also includes 16 professional development days and the removal of early release days.

The calendar is slated to be approved at the Feb. 16 regular Board meeting after review of public feedback. [PRESENTATION]

Trustee Romere  honored at final meeting

The Board honored Trustee Romere and accepted her resignation. Romere has served the District since 2010 and held leadership positions on committees and as Board secretary. During her time on the Board, Romere supported the passage of a $299 million Bond, expanded agriculture science programs, approved a Strategic Plan, hired current Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Flores and adopted a District of Innovation plan that will give families more flexibility, while also being supportive of teachers.

Romere resigned from the Board to focus on her real estate brokerage firm and spend time with her family.

Facility feasibility study results released ahead of potential Bond Election

Round Rock ISD, in partnership with YMCA of Greater Williamson County and the City of Round Rock, conducted a phone survey with 302 registered voters and 120 municipal voters to gauge support for potential Bond-funded facilities, including an aquatic center.

The 16 question survey included inquiries about support for Round Rock ISD, a sixth high school, Public Schools of Choice, an aquatic center, support of a Bond and taxpayer impact as a result of a successful Bond.

Survey results:

  • Registered voters were likely to or lean towards supporting a school Bond Election for Round Rock ISD at a rate of almost 77 percent.
  • Voters favored scenarios of a $5/month tax increase and $10/month tax increase at rates of 75 percent and 64 percent, respectively.
  • Regarding the topics of facilities that align with the Strategic Plan, including an Early Childhood Center, Career Tech High School and a Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, registered voters agreed these are important choices for families to have in its public schools.
  • A question regarding support of schools with specializations that emphasize skills, including the arts, world languages, technology, and health sciences, earned a support rate of 94 percent.
  • Regarding arts and athletic programs, voters supported programs, including the development of an aquatics center. The study found that voters favored a potential partnership between the city of Round Rock, YMCA of Greater Williamson County, and Round Rock ISD in order to share costs to build a larger aquatic center in order to generate tourism revenue.