Why is a bond election needed at this time?

• To provide new schools and classroom additions to relieve overcrowding.
• To meet new legislative and health code requirements.
• To fund critical renovation projects.
• To protect the taxpayers' investment in district campuses and facilities.
• To sustain the District's commitment to environmental stewardship by renovating air-conditioning and heating units and by purchasing low-emission fuel and plug-in hybrid buses.
• To fund technology to ensure equity throughout the District; and
• To provide a districtwide Performing Arts Center.

What is the date for the 2008 Bond Election?

The date is Saturday, May, 10, 2008. Early Voting is from April 28, 2008, through May 6, 2008. See pages 6-9 for locations and times. The hours and locations for Early Voting sometimes change, and Election Day Polling locations are sometimes changed or consolidated. Please contact the Travis County Election Office at 854-4996 or www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election/ if you have questions about where you should vote.

What amount is needed?

Based on recommendations of the 2008 Citizens' Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC) and citizen input, the AISD Board of Trustees has submitted a $343.7 million bond initiative to Austin voters.

How will this amount affect my property taxes?

The District Interest and Sinking (debt retirement) tax rate would increase a maximum of 1.7¢. For each $100,000 of home value, the tax increase for a homeowner would be $1.41 per month, with a yearly cost of $17 for a home valued at $100,000, for a home valued at $200,000, the yearly cost would be $34 or $2.83 per month.

What is the tax impact on the homeowner 65 or older?

The proposed Bond Program will have no impact on homeowners who are 65 or older because the amount of property tax that these individuals must pay may never exceed what they paid in the year they turned 65. The amount they pay could be lowered, in fact, should the assessed value of their property fall and/or a reduction in the tax rate result in a lower property tax payment.

How will AISD students benefit from the bond program?

This bond program will:

• Meet immediate and critical needs, i.e., failing air-conditioning and heating systems, which, if left unattended, could lead to expensive remediation.
• Meet new legislative mandates that increase graduation requirements to four years of science and math, which will require additional science classroom laboratories and upgrades in all District high schools.
• Address overcrowding and provide more permanent classrooms for schools that have had large numbers of portable buildings over several years.
• Meet most current Health Department code requirements for school kitchens.
• Upgrade aging classroom and business technology.

What is the schedule for projects?

The program will be implemented over a four-year period beginning in May 2008.

With the booming construction market in Austin, how accurate are the estimates?

During the implementation of the on-going 2004 Bond Program, the District has accumulated a significant amount of building cost information. These data, along with construction industry cost escalation projections, were the basis for estimating the cost of the proposed 2008 Bond Program.

How does the District fund ongoing maintenance and renovation projects?

Unfortunately, AISD's status as a Chapter 41 district severely limits the amount that the maintenance and operations (M&O) budget may be increased. Recently, the District has budgeted $9.1 million per year for routine renovation and maintenance needs. However, this allocation is inadequate and cannot meet the District's annual renovation and maintenance needs.

What factors will decide where the "undesignated" elementary school in Proposition 1 will be located?

Currently, three areas have been identified as having potential need for an elementary school between now and 2010-2011 - Central - Mueller Development site, Southwest, and Southeast.

The type and rate of residential development in these areas will be closely monitored over the remainder of 2008 and early 2009, relative to its effect on student population projections. The "undesignated" elementary school will be placed in the area where the actual and projected student population growth causes existing schools in that area to more rapidly approach or exceed 125 percent of their permanent capacities.

Which schools have enrollments above their permanent capacity and where are they located?

In 2007-08, schools with membership greater than 100 percent of permanent capacity were:

• High Schools - Northwest - Anderson, McCallum; Central - Austin; South - Akins; Southwest - Bowie.
• Midle Schools* - Northwest - Murchison; Central - Fulmore; South - Bedichek; Southwest - Bailey and Small.
• Elementary Schools** - Northwest - Doss; North - Barrington, Cook, Harris, Hart, McBee, Pickle, Read, Walnut Creek, Wooldridge, Wooten; Central - Bryker Woods, Lee; South - Galindo, Odom, and St. Elmo; Southwest - Mills and Oak Hill; Southeast - Langford, Houston, Linder, Perez, Rodriguez, and Widen.

*As part of the 2004 Bond Program, a new Southwest middle school will open in the fall 2009, which will provide relief from overcrowding.

** As part of the 2004 Bond Program, new elementary schools are scheduled to be constructed in the north central and southwest areas of the District. These schools will provide relief from overcrowding.

What are the growth trends in the District?

The District is currently monitoring three major residential development trends that directly affect the AISD student population. The first is typical population increases from single-family home subdivisions. This growth trend is seen primarily in the southern part of the District from the areas east and west of IH-35 extending to the southwestern region of the District.

The second trend is the increase of denser development resulting from new urban residential infill projects. Current examples include the Mueller development, Crestview Station, and other residential lofts and condominium developments. These developments have a significant number of homes that are smaller, built on smaller lots, with limited or non-existent yards. The overall design is meant to create a pedestrian-friendly community close to schools, stores, and work. It is not yet known what impact these types of developments will have on school enrollment.

Finally, the third trend is the increase in the number of families living in older apartments. The student populations in nearby schools can experience significant increases when families move in and then rapid decreases when these same apartments are redeveloped into higher-end apartments and condominiums.

How was the scope of proposed Bond work developed?

A 21-member Citizens' Bond Advisory Committee, appointed by the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent, worked many months analyzing information and visiting various sites and campuses. The committee developed recommendations that include projects considered urgent in nature, or are required by law, and must be addressed before another comprehensive bond program takes place. The charge of the committee was to:

• Review and analyze 2008 Bond Program information and recommendations provided by staff.
• Seek community input on the proposed scope to help prioritize and make recommendations to the Board.
• Assist the District in the communication of factual information to the community about the proposed scope of work, if the 2008 Bond Program is ultimately adopted by the Board.

The recommendations of the CBAC were studied by Trustees who sought additional public input. The Board augmented the CBAC's original recommendations, resulting in the scope of work for the 2008 Bond proposal.

How will AISD ensure the money is spent appropriately?

An independent citizens' bond oversight committee will be appointed by Trustees, as has been the practice in both past and current bond programs. This committee will ensure that the bond program is implemented appropriately, with the use of prudent management strategies and controls, and that the bond funds are spent properly and only on voter-approved projects.

How will the proposed Technology Improvements be allocated to the individual campuses?

The first step is to conduct an in-depth assessment of each campus to determine its individual needs. Once assessments are complete, each allocation will be determined in light of campus needs and available funds. Among the important factors that will be considered in the allocation of technology are:

• Educational Specifications.
• Approved curriculum specification changes.
• Life cycle of installed technology.
• Student population.
• District Strategic Plan.