Austin ISD Bond Vote Gets Go-ahead

A Travis County civil court judge last week denied a request for a restraining order seeking to halt an $892 million general obligation bond referendum proposed by Austin Independent School District.

Judge Orlinda Naranjo said the request to halt the election was without merit.

Travis County Taxpayers Union filed for a temporary restraining order on April 23, contending that the ballot language was unclear and lacked information required by the Texas Education Code.

A spokesman for the opponents said a challenge will be filed after the election.

Early voting began April 27 Austin’s and other Texas school bond proposals, with election day on May 11. Mail-in ballots for residents in the military or working overseas were distributed in late March.

The four-part referendum includes $349.2 million for building and academic infrastructure and repairs, $234 million for safety and alleviation of overcrowded facilities, $168.6 million for athletics and academic initiatives, and $140.6 million for equipment and technology.

Austin Independent School District’s $757 million of outstanding GO debt is rated triple-A by Moody’s Investors Service and AA-plus by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s.

The debt is enhanced to triple-A across the board with coverage from the Texas Permanent School Fund.

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