Leander School Bonds Pass

$559 Million Bond Package

AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Leander voters on Tuesday approved a $559 million bond package, the largest school bond proposal in Central Texas history.

The Leander bond proposal - a single proposition - included eight new schools, land for an additional nine campuses, a new stadium and additions and renovations to other buildings. Voters approved it 5,283 (56%) to 4,197 (44%), according to unofficial final returns released early this morning.

It was the second bond vote for the district in less than two years. In May 2006, voters approved a $286.1 million package to build eight schools but rejected $6.9 million for upgrades to the stadium, including a new sound system, a press box and additional restrooms.

Greg Grounds , chairman of the pro-bond Leander Building for Learning PAC, said he was encouraged by the strong support in early returns. "It looks like the voters liked the citizens committee's plan to open a high school earlier than we had planned," Leander school board President Jim Sneeringer said. "I'd like to thank our citizens for their trust. I promise that we'll be careful with their money."

A facility advisory committee made up of parents and community, city and business leaders recommended the package based on its study of student growth projections. According to enrollment projections, Leander, which expects to enroll 28,954 students this year, could have 58,618 students by 2017.

Leander's package eclipsed the $519.5 million program approved by Austin in 2004, which included money for eight new schools, renovations at more than 100 campuses, and land for future campuses and a performing arts center.

The Leander district has 30 campuses and might need as many as 22 more in the next decade: 16 elementaries, four middle schools and two high schools.

DETAILS

Leander ISD bond (Impact News)

Bond proposition

All of LISD's $559,000,000 bond is lumped under one proposition, however, this proposition is divided into parts for high, middle and elementry schools, technology and ancillary costs. These include:

High school

Design, construction and furnishing for high schools 5 and 6 $117.6 million and $141.5 respectively

Land for high school 7

Agriculture and automotive classes building

New stadium

Middle School

Construction of middle school 8

Land for middle schools 10 and 11

Renovations to existing schools

Elementary

Construction & Furnishings for 5 Elementary Schools (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)

Design for 5 Elementary Schools (23, 26, 27, 28, 29)

Land for 6 Elementary Schools (#29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)

Renovation/Repairs to Existing Schools (HVAC at Whitestone & Mason)

Security Projects (Enhanced security features at campus entrances)

Technology

Instructional Technology Plan Implementation

Upgrade of New Campuses to ITLT Plan (EL#23, 24, 25 & HS#5)

Computer Replacement Plan

Data Warehouse

Telecommunications

Fiber Optic Network

Ancillary

Expansion of Support Services Building

Existing District Facility Utilization

Capital Equipment