Burnt Orange Report

Vote For AISD

By Byron LaMasters

Yesterday, I voted in favor of all six of the AISD bond initiatives. I tend to categorically support almost all education funding, because one of my fundamental beliefs in government is that after defending its people, providing strong education and strong health care are the best investments that a government can make. That belief trumps most all else, including the concerns of some of the more strident environmentalists.

I'd encourage a vote for all six propositions. Early vote locations are here.

Here's what AISD is requesting from Austin voters:

Proposition 1 Tax Rate: 1.54¢ Relief for Overcrowded Schools/ Provision of Equitable Facilities District Wide • New Schools o Elementary (6) $111,547,983 NE SC SE SW Undesignated (2) o Middle (1) 35,777,119 NE • Classroom Additions 30,280,564 • Land Acquisition o Future MS sites (2) 4,962,651 SE SW o Elementary (1) 1,029,747 Undesignated Proposition 1 Total: $183,598,064

Proposition 2
Tax Rate: 1.69¢
Academic and Building Infrastructure Renovations to Safeguard Investments in District
Campuses, Facilities and Sites and Invest in Environmental Health Initiatives and Standards
• Renovations to Campuses $187,550,897
& District-Wide Facilities
• Technology 13,553,074
Proposition 2 Total: $201,103,971

Proposition 3
Tax Rate: .45¢
Safety and Security, Environmental Health and District-wide Facilities
• Safety & Security $20,954,097
• District-Wide Facilities 17,505,352
• Low-Emission Buses 13,234,166
• Asbestos 2,205,694
Proposition 3 Total: $53,899,309

Proposition 4
Tax Rate: .11¢
Athletics and Physical Education Including the Efficient Utilization of Taxpayers’ Dollars
Through Sharing Facilities Among Governmental Entities
• Interscholastic Sports Task $10,405,729
Force recommendations
• Elementary covered play slabs 2,424,781
Proposition 4 Total: $12,830,510

Proposition 5
Tax Rate: .37¢
Relief for Overcrowding and Partial Funding for a District-Wide Performing Arts Center
• Partial Funding for $7,719,706
District-Wide Performing Arts Center (PAC)
• Site for PAC 1,102,815
• New Southwest Middle School 35,777,241
Proposition 5 Total: $44,599,762

Proposition 6
Tax Rate: .49¢
Refinancing of Contractual Obligations
• Contractual Obligations $23,495,000
Proposition 6 Total: $23,495,000
Bond Proposal $519,526,616
Total Tax Rate: 4.65¢

Many Austin environmentalists oppose Prop 5. The Austin Chronicle wrote the following in opposing Prop 5:

Proposition 5: NO

Proposition 5 includes funds for a new, districtwide performing arts center and a new southwest middle school. We would support the PAC, but we have not been convinced that the district needs another southwest middle school on the edge of the aquifer's recharge zone. We believe Proposition 5 violates the spirit of SOS because it unnecessarily reinforces, by institutional inertia, developmental growth patterns that endanger the community's best values, its health, and indeed its unique character as a city. Elected officials cannot continue to throw up their hands and say, "There's nothing we can do about sprawl" – when they endorse decisions that make sprawl inevitable.

The Chronicle urges voters to reject Proposition 5.

The only problem is that if this proposition fails, and a school is not built on the aquifer recharge zone, then it is likely that an apartment complex will be built on the land. Personally, I think that soccer fields are more environmentally friendly than are parking lots that would surely accompany an apartment complex. It's a simple choice in my eyes. Not building schools won't stop sprawl. Not building schools will only lead to school overcrowding and less educational opportunities for AISD students.

Sarah says Vote No on five, as the Austin Chronicle recommends, so check out her two cents.