Austin, TX— Last night, the Austin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve an order calling for a bond election on May 11, 2013.

The $892,245,000 bond program addresses the need to maintain existing facilities and to build or renovate schools to accommodate growth. The board’s decision was based on the recommendation of the Citizens’ Bond Advisory Committee, which, over the past nine months, has worked with school communities and the administration to identify critical needs in safety and security, technology, infrastructure, renovations and new construction.

The bond program will be divided into these four propositions:

Proposition No. 1 is for improvements related to health, environment, equipment, and technology.  This includes items such as food services campus renovations, district-wide transportation, energy conservation and efficiency, science labs, and maintenance improvements for facilities and equipment. The amount is $140,566,000.

Proposition No. 2 is for improvements related to safety and security, and relief from overcrowded schools.  This includes improvements to safety and security district-wide, land acquisition, new schools and construction, such as additions to classrooms, fine arts facilities, and physical education and athletics. The amount is $233,950,000.

Proposition No. 3 is for improvements related to academic and building infrastructure renovations to safeguard investments in district campuses.  These improvements include facility systemic repairs, individual campus upgrades and campus library renovations. The amount is $349,165,000.

Proposition No. 4 is related to support for academic initiatives, fine arts and athletics.  This includes facility improvements for career and technical education, fine arts, athletics, special education and facility renovations at the Ridgeview campus (old Anderson High School) for the School for Young Men. The amount is $168,564,000

Early voting will begin on April 29 and run through May 7, 2013.

Detailed information about the 2013 bond program will soon be available on the AISD website at www.austinisd.org/bond, and by calling 414-BOND (2663).

For more information, please contact the Department of Public Relations and Multicultural Outreach at 414-2414.