DALLAS - Texas' Round Rock Independent School District is considering calling an election May 10 for up to $289 million of bond proposals.
The board of the school district north of Austin reviewed the proposal from a citizens' bond committee at its meeting on Feb. 20 and is expected to make a decision on whether to call for the election at its meeting Feb. 25.
Even with the opening of eight new schools since 2009, demographic projections indicate that a number of elementary schools and one middle school will be crowded by 2018, according to the committee that was created last November.
The largest proposal at $225.8 million would include funding for a new elementary school, a new classroom wing at Round Rock High School, upgrades at existing schools, improvements to the video surveillance systems, new school buses and development of a design plan for a sixth high school.
A second proposition valued at $22 million includes funding to expand technology throughout the district; the third proposition would call for spending $38.9 million to build another performing arts center or build new auditoriums at two high schools.
The committee did not include a natatorium, which many district residents had sought.
Round Rock ISD carries underlying credit ratings of AA from Standard & Poor's, Aaa from Moody's Investors Service, and AA-plus from Fitch Ratings, all with stable outlooks. The district's bonds are guaranteed by the Texas Permanent School Fund, which provides triple-A ratings.
With its headquarters eight miles north of downtown Austin, Round Rock Independent School District serves a population estimate of 242,228 in Williamson County, including a small portion of Austin.
Median household incomes are 149% of the national average, according to S&P. Market value has increased by almost 6% since fiscal year 2010 to slightly less than $22 billion in fiscal 2014. Market value per capita is $88,130 per capita, which S&P considers high.
Since fiscal year 2010, enrollment in the district has increased by 5.4% to 44,779 in fiscal 2013. The district planned for a 760-student increase in fiscal 2014.
