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Voters approve $559 million in school bonds

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It was ahead of schedule, and big - the biggest in Central Texas in fact - but voters decided Leander ISD's $559 bond package was necessary, with 56 percent (5,283) voting in favor and 44 percent (4,197) voting against.

The successful bond issue will pave the way for projects including construction of two new high schools, and a stadium (or several smaller stadiums). LISD can build five elementaries and one middle school, renovate Bible Stadium, and buy land for six new elementaries, two middle schools and another new high school. Bond funds will also be used for classroom technology, expanding the district's fiber optic network, and replacement of 14 buses and 17 portable buildings.

Travis County voters gave the bond package especially strong support, with 61 percent (2,277 votes) giving their thumbs-up and 39 percent (1,482) voting against.

By contrast, Williamson County voters passed the bond 53 percent (3,006 votes) to 47 percent (2,715).

Interest was particularly strong in Travis County, the southern part of LISD, because it will be the site of High School #5. High School #6 will be built in the northern part of the district. School officials agreed to hold the bond early in large part because of those who wanted High School #5 built to relieve overcrowding at Cedar Park High School. The bond election was originally set for 2009.

LISD will now be able to build two elementary schools every two years for the next four years. The district will also open two middle schools and two high schools in the next four years; 2007 bond funds for classroom technology will be used within the next three years. LISD will also be actively purchasing land for new schools, in areas to be determined by demographic information.

Superintendent Tom Glenn was excited about the successful bond election. “Based on some citizen input, the board was willing to make a bold move to put the district in a position to keep up with our growth in a way that the community expects,” he said. “I'm glad the community has agreed with that bold move.

LISD Trustee Pam Waggoner was also pleased with the election outcome, describing it as a mandate from the voters. “I am so proud of our community,” she said. “They have allowed us to plan for the future of the school district in a big way.”

Greg Grounds, who co-chaired the Building for Learning political action committee, along with Vic Villarreal, said the election results showed good support for LISD throughout the district.

“I feel the voters just showed how much they support the mission of LISD,” Grounds said. “The voters listened to the citizens advisory committees and trusted the district to keep proactive. They gave the district room to run. I'm very proud of the voters.”

Grounds thanked the PAC members for their hard work. Members spoke to 35 groups in order to promote the bond. “I'm really happy to be part of this effort,” he said. “We had a really strong group in our PAC. I'm glad to be part of doing something good for this community.”

Grounds was a member of the boundary committee for Rouse High School, which will open in 2008. It was from that committee that the demand for an early bond election grew. Enrollment growth in the south of the district meant busing students within walking distance from CPHS to Vista Ridge High School. “We didn't feel like those neighborhoods and families would be happy with that,” Grounds said. The committee agreed to accept a larger enrollment at CPHS with the condition that the district hold an early bond election to build High School #5.

PAC member Allen Kaplan thanked the community for showing its support. “It shows that the LISD, Cedar Park, and northwest Austin really care about education,” he said. “It is making this community into one of the best places to live in the country.”

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