Round Rock school district to form citizens bond committee

Fernanda Figueroa, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read

Round Rock school district Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez is assembling a committee of residents to consider a possible facilities bond for the November election.

During a March 28 school board meeting, he said he was calling for a citizens' bond committee, an action that does need board approval.

Those who participate in the committee will provide the Board of Trustees guidance on potentially issuing a bond for November. This bond committee will prioritize capital improvement projects included in the upcoming long-range facilities master plan.

The board will approve the final facilities plan on April 18. The plan provides the district guidance on how to maintain and update facilities for the next five years or more, district officials said.

The bond committee will be made up of members appointed by trustees from a list of volunteers.

Azaiez said assembling the committee does not guarantee there will be a bond on the November ballot. He said that the decision falls ultimately to the board. If the board does want a bond on the November election, they have to decide by August, Azaiez said.

The bond committee's first meeting will be on April 24 at McNeil High School, 5720 McNeil Drive, from 6-7:30 p.m. Residents interested in being part of the committee can fill out the interest form here by Sunday.

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The district last issued a bond in 2018 for $508.4 million. District staff said the bond addressed critical growth and safety priorities across campuses. The bond set aside funding to handle a growing student population and renovate aging facilities.

Big-ticket items included $50.2 million for renovating and expanding CD Fulkes Middle School in downtown Round Rock, $48.2 million to build Redbud Elementary School and $77 million to expand and renovate the McNeil and Westwood high school campuses.

Voting results showed 56,230 voters were in favor of the bond, with 30,429 voting against it.

More: $508M Round Rock ISD bond approved

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: RRISD to form citizens bond committee