Burnt Orange Report Endorsements: YES on AISD Bonds 1-4

by: Burnt Orange Report

Mon Apr 29, 2013 at 10:31 AM CDT

These bonds will address a number of pressing needs faced by AISD, from building new elementary schools to address overcrowding to funding basic repairs to our existing infrastructure. Our children deserve the best educational environment we can provide, and this bond project

Furthermore, AISD will keep 100% of the bond money (rather than return a share to the state via the Robin Hood recapture rule, as it does with property tax revenue) and will enable the district to take advantage of low interest rates. Bonds also allow districts to fund one-time maintenance projects that are currently going undone due to systematic efforts to defund public education at the Legislature.

There are four propositions, each of which addresses critical infrastructure needs.

Prop 1 -- Health, Environment,  Equipment & Technology: provides food service campus improvements, facility maintenance and equipment improvements, transportation district-wide, technology district-wide, classroom and science lab fixtures and equipment, energy conservation district-wide.

Prop 2 -- Safety and Security, Relief from Overcrowded Schools: including New Schools and New Construction: safety and security district-wide, additions to several schools, three new elementary schools, land acquisition, feasibility and design of a new high school, fine arts and gymnasium additions.

Prop 3 -- Academic and Building Infrastructure Renovations to Safeguard Investments in District Campuses: facility systemic repairs, individual campus plans, libraries campus improvements.

Prop 4 - Academic Initiatives, Fine Arts and Athletics: new career and technical eduction programs, fine arts, physical education and athletics, special education, School for Young Men.

Burnt Orange Report unanimously endorses a YES vote on all four propositions.

Early Voting: April 29-May 7 | Election Day: Saturday May 11
Click for maps of voting locations

Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.

Big Plans: Mayor Julian Castro Seeks Third Term In San Antonio

by: Katherine Haenschen

Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 09:21 AM CST

From Texas Public Radio:

"One of the things I'm going to be tackling is this issue of preparing our workforce better; linking up education with the needs of our employers so that no employer ever has to wonder whether they can find the talent, the skills that they need in the workforce here in San Antonio," he said Tuesday after filing for office.

Castro spearheaded an ambitious effort to provide Pre-K to disadvantaged San Antonio children and passed a ballot measure last November to raise funds to do so. He clearly sees eye-to-eye with President Barack Obama on the need to invest in our future through providing strong educational access for all.

Castro was first elected in 2007, and Castro won re-election in 2009 with 83% of the vote. No serious challengers are expected.