AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin ISD Board of Trustees has approved a $2.44 billion bond package that, if passed, will provide ample funding to enhance safety and address affordability. It additionally focuses on equity and other campus benefits.
The bond package will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot, and if approved by voters, it will also improve athletics, fine arts and career and technical education facilities throughout Austin ISD high schools. New buses will replace old ones without air conditioning, and students and teachers will receive new computers and tablets.
“Our goal is to be the highest-paying school district in Central Texas,” said Austin ISD interim Superintendent Anthony Mays. “To accomplish this, we must reduce the burden of our aging facilities on our general operating budget.”
2022 bond priorities include:
- Security improvements such as installing secure entry vestibules at every campus, adding new security fencing and upgrades to doors and locks
- Modernization — renovating 26 aging facilities at eight high schools, five middle schools and 13 elementary schools
- Address systems and facilities with critical deficiencies — repair HVAC, plumbing, roof and other chronic maintenance issues
- Athletic improvements including upgraded turf, lighting and seating at Austin ISD high school athletic facilities
- Expand Career and Technical Education spaces— build permanent facilities for CTE classes to replace smaller portable buildings
If the bond passes, the Austin ISD Board of Trustees will lower the overall total tax rate by 6.5 cents this school year and an additional 3 cents the next school year.