RRISD Board of Trustees Call for $572.1M Bond in May 2017
The Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees unanimously called for a Bond Election to be held May 6, 2017, to address the needs of growth, innovation and safety.
“To provide our students with a world-class education, we must provide them with world-class opportunities, resources and facilities,” Board President Diane Cox said. “Our priorities in this bond will impact all students and allow our District to take the next steps in advancing education for all students. We also thank our entire Citizens Bond Committee for their dedication to our students and for creating a tremendous bond package.”
Three propositions will appear on the ballot:
Proposition 1 – $381.6 Million: Addresses the most urgent needs of Growth and Safety in Round Rock ISD, including High School #6, Elementary School #35, improvements to aging facilities, replacement of aging technology at all schools and the continuation of Master Plans at McNeil and Westwood high schools.
Proposition 2 – $133.6 Million: Aligns with the Strategic Plan for needs of Growth and Innovation, including expansions at elementary, middle, and high schools to accommodate crowded schools, a Career Tech High School, a Visual and Performing Arts Middle School and an Early College and Health Professions High School.
Proposition 3 – $56.8 Million: Meets the needs of a world class community’s expectations for arts and athletic programs, including an indoor aquatic center, the District’s Outdoor Athletic Facility #3, upgrades to Dragon Stadium and design of auditoriums at Round Rock and Westwood high schools.
After a comprehensive study of the District’s facilities and third party growth projections, the Round Rock ISD Citizens Bond Committee (CBC) recommended on January 19, that the Board ask voters to consider a bond package that addresses growth, overcrowding and facility needs.
“The Citizens Bond Committee has invested a great deal of time, energy and thought into the recommendations that were brought before the Board of Trustees and ultimately included in the bond package,” CBC Chair Ron Buffum said. “We are thankful for the opportunity to come together as a community to help create the recommendations and for the support, dedication and knowledge of District staff throughout the whole process.”
RRISD began developing the vision for a Bond during its Strategic Plan, which included input from 13,500 community members. The Strategic Plan calls for innovative, personalized, and flexible learning models that provide families choices. The Bond package addresses specific projects outlined in the Strategic Plan to meet the growth and innovative needs of schools.
“As our District prepares for growth and innovation, I am thankful to work with a Board that puts students first and strategically plans for our future,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Flores. “I am confident in the projects outlined in our Bond package and I am eager to work with our community to share the needs of Round Rock ISD.”
The average value home in Round Rock ISD is valued at approximately $290,000 after homestead exemption. The three propositions will cost the average homeowner an additional $2.23 per month or $26.74 per year .
The District’s debt tax rate has fluctuated between $0.2925 and $0.3040 over the past 10 years, with the current tax rate of $0.2925 per $100 in assessed value home being lower than in 2007.
The most recent Bond Election voters approved for the District was held in May 2014. Voters approved three propositions totaling $299 million. The Bond packages included the building of an elementary and middle school, the continuation of Phase 3B at Round Rock High School and Phase 3 at Westwood High School, development of master plans for McNeil High and C.D. Fulkes Middle schools, expansion and refresh of technology, as well as a series of renovation projects.
For more information about the upcoming bond election, visit the 2017 Bond webpage at roundrockisd.org
