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School Bond Election
Trustees Call February 4 School Bond Election
Carroll Trustees voted unanimously Sept. 26 to call a school bond election totalling $44 million. The Board was split on when to hold the election, but ultimately voted 3-1 with two Trustees abstaining for a two-proposition election on Saturday, February 4.
Trustees accepted the recommendation of the Bond Steering Committee, which has been studying district needs since January. The Committee identified a number of projects involving building expansions, technology, capital improvements, security and safety.
Trustee learned just recently that a developer has approached the City of Southlake about allowing a sharp increase in residential units within Carroll ISD. Based on the unknown outcome of this possible development, Trustees agreed to remove several building expansion projects and replace them with portable modular buildings. The decision resulted in the removal of new classrooms at Old Union Elementary, Johnson Elementary and Eubanks Intermediate. A proposed expansion project at Carroll High School remains in Proposition 1.
Proposition 1 addresses capacity and maintenance needs for a total of $24.5 million. Proposition 2 addresses instructional technology needs districtwide. That proposition is for $19.5 million. School officials say the bond election will not require a school tax rate increase.
Trustees removed a proposed third proposition involving the property at Carroll Intermediate School. A decision on the fate of this property and building will be reached at a later date.
Additional information and facts on the February 4 Bond Election will be forthcoming. In the meantime, click on the links below to see the items contained in the upcoming School Bond Election:
Proposition 1 Projects - Building Expansions, Maintenance and Capital Imrovements
Proposition 2 Projects - Instructional Technology
Background on the Work of the Bond Steering Committee
Scientific Telephone Survey
The Bond Steering Committee heard the results of the scientific telephone survey at their September 13, 2005. The results are posted below:
- Cumulative Bond Telephone Survey Results
- Executive Summary of Bond Telephone Survey Results
- Bond Telephone Survey PowerPoint Presentation
The Bond Steering Committee is expected to make a recommendation to the Carroll ISD Board of Trustees during a special workshop at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 19. This workshop will be held in the auditorium of Johnson Elementary School, 1301 N. Carroll Avenue. Trustees are tentatively scheduled to vote on the recommendation at the September 26 School Board meeting.
Online Web Survey
Thank you to everyone who participated in our online bond web survey. Results of the unscientific web survey will be shared with the Bond Steering Committee at their meeting on September 13. The results will be posted to this website soon.
Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee is conducted an online web survey to assist them with making a recommendation to the CISD School Board about a possible school bond election. Each respondent was limited to taking the survey one time. We asked citizens and employees to carefully read about the work of the CISD Bond Steering Committee BEFORE taking the online survey.
Questions about the Bond Steering Committee's work may be directed to 817-949-7080.
Informational Town Hall Meetings
In addition to collecting public input via our online web survey, the Bond Steering Committee scheduled three informational Town Hall meetings in August. The meetings were poorly attended. Information shared at the meetings is provided below:
Bond Steering Committee Fact Sheet (PDF)
Monday, August 22 at 7 p.m.
Johnson Elementary School Auditorium
(Carroll Intermediate Building OPen For Tours from 6 to 7 p.m. and after the Town Hall)
Wednesday, August 24 at 7 p.m.
Carroll Senior High School Auditorium
(Technology display immediately following Town Hall)
Tuesday, August 30 at 9 a.m.
Eubanks Intermediate School
| Important LInks |
Bond Steering Committee's June 6 Interim Report To Board - Written Report Bond Steering Committee's June 6 Interim Report to Board - Slide Presentation |
| Committee Organizational Framework |
Meeting Information: June 28 Meeting June 14 Meeting May 17 Meeting May 10 Meeting May 3 Meeting April 19 Meeting
April 12 Meeting
March 29 Meeting
March 15 Meeting
February 15 Meeting
February 8 Meeting
January 27 Meeting
January 18 Meeting
|
Related Press Releases: (date issued)
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Deadline Nears for Online Web Survey (8.15.05)
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Interim Report Details Bond Progress (6.9.05)
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Architect Shares Initial Project Costs (4.13.05)
Committee Mission:
To determine the need for and the viability of a school bond election for Carroll ISD.
Committee Co-Chairs:
Citizens David McFarland and Ingrid DePinto
General Information:
The Carroll ISD School Board formed a Bond Steering Committee made up of parent, taxpayer and employee representatives from each of the district's 11 attendance zones. In addition, five members of the committee represent the business community and the City of Southlake. This committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the elected Board of Trustees.
Visit this website often for up-to-date information on committee activities.
- Learn basic school finance and bond election laws and strategies.
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Review Carroll ISD's past bond history and current financial situation.
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Study existing reports and/or needs as identified by CISD committees and staff.
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Identify any additional needs CISD might have to effectively carry out its mission in the future.
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Present needs assessment report in priority order to CISD Board and Administration.
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Work in conjunction with CISD to conduct community and staff survey to assess public opinions and attitudes regarding committee work.
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Ultimately, make final recommendation to the CISD Board and Administration on the viability of a school bond election.
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met on Tuesday, June 28 in the library of the former Carroll Intermediate School Building. The group discussed plans for a summer online web survey to collect feedback on potential bond projects. A postcard is being prepared and mailed to every CISD household in July. The postcard will notify citizens of the work of the Bond Steering Committee, encourage them to participate in the online web survey and invite them to informational Town Hall meetings slated in August.
The group is also planning an interactive PowerPoint for citizens, informational fliers about various bond projects and a scientific telephone survey for randomly selected registered voters in late August/early September.
The Bond Steering Committee gave an interim report to CISD Trustees on June 6th, but no formal recommendation has been made at this point. The Committee was charged with identifying district needs and determining viability of a potential bond election. The public input process will continue throughout the summer/early fall. Committee members hope to make a formal recommendation to the CISD School Board by mid-September.
The next meeting of the full Bond Steering Committee will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2nd in the library of CIS, 1101 N. Carroll Avenue. Information on August Town Hall meeting dates will be forthcoming.
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met on Tuesday, June 14 in the library of the former Carroll Intermediate School building. The group discussed the School Board's response to the Committee's June 6 Interim Report. Part of the discussion included plans for an early childhood center and employee daycare.
Steering Committee members agreed to have the Building Capacity Subcommittee and the Capital Improvements/Maintenance Subcommittee meet with the architect for Huckabee and Associates about projected costs for a new early childhood center. One option was to renovate and modify the former Carroll Intermediate School building to accommodate these two programs; however, Trustees have not yet made a decision on the future of the CIS building or property. Steering Committee members will work with Architect Doug Benson to cost out construction of the early childhood center/employee daycare on district-owned land adjacent to Johnson Elementary School .
The Committee also discussed plans to conduct an online web survey of public attitudes regarding the Bond Steering Committee's work to date. Taxpayers in CISD are expected to receive a postcard in early July about the work of the Bond Steering Committee. The postcard will direct individuals to information available on the district's website, as well as a URL link to an informal online survey. The group also plans to publish informational fliers and conduct public meetings on the proposed bond projects in August. The group intends to follow up with a scientific telephone survey by an independent company in early September.
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, in the library of the former Carroll Intermediate School Building. The group reviewed a comprehensive list of more than 1,000 proposed projects totalling $52 million and discussed the need to prioritize the list and nail down a total package cost. Click here to view the Comprehensive Proposed Project List.
Bond Steering Committee members say they may need direction from the CISD School Board before moving forward on formation of a proposed bond recommendation. Still unknown is the fate of Carroll Intermediate School and whether or not the School Board will vote to renovate CIS for future use or sell the property. Members of the committee discussed the implications of renovating the building for a centralized preschool and employee daycare program. Yet another option is to sell the building and construct an entirely new daycare/preschool facility on district-owned property elsewhere in the district.
Bond Steering Committee members have been reviewing district needs since January and hope to make a recommendation to the Board about a possible bond election. Committee members were charged with identifying needs and determining viability of a school bond election. The group has concentrated on needs in the areas of technology, maintenance, security/safety, and building capacities. The group will continue their discussion of the various bond components on Tuesday, May 17th in the library of Caroll Intermediate. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 , at the Carroll High School Library. Presiding were Ingrid DePinto and David McFarland, Committee Co-chairs. Members heard a report form Steve Perry, financial consultant for the Board of Trustees, summarizing the Potential Costs for Bond Sales ranging from $30 to $50 million. Since the figures presented assumed that insurance for these sales may not be available through the "Permanent School Fund" of the state of Texas , the possibility exists that some savings could be achieved in the costs for bond insurance should this situation change.
In addition, the group heard a report from Doug Benson with Huckabee and Associates concerning the Cost for Proposed Security Measures on school campuses. While the projects reviewed totaled just over $500,000, the committee asked that Mr. Benson come back to the group with estimates that included camera systems at the elementary sites. Obviously, this will add to the cost, but exactly how much is not known at this time.
Also, Harry Ingalls, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, reviewed Capacity Figures for all school sites as they currently stand as well as the potential numbers with the additions proposed by the subcommittee on capacity. As a follow-up, Mr. Ingalls shared with the committee Projected Enrollments in CISD over the next 10 - 20 years. Given the capacity possibilities and enrollment projections, he asked the committee to begin thinking about the projects for expansion on a priority basis. At the next meeting there will be a general discussion about this topic.
The next meeting of the Bond Steering Committee will be on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 , at the former Carroll Intermediate School on North Carroll Avenue .
April 19, 2005 Meeting Summary
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met on Tuesday, April 19th in the library of Carroll High School. Technology Subcommittee Chairman Doug McKelvey presented a project list of proposed technology at each CISD campus and for the district. The list details more than $19 million in technology-related equipment, wiring, electrical drops and maintenance. It would provide laptop computers for all CISD teachers, wireless computer labs at secondary schools and establish model technology classrooms at all K-6 campuses. Click here to view a complete list of Technology Projects & Costs.
Communications Director Julie Thannum presented information about collecting community input on the proposed project lists. She detailed a handout called Survey Says. . .and described features of a New Town Hall Meeting Format .
The next meeting of the full Bond Steering Committee will be Tuesday, May 3rd in the library of Carroll High School. Committee members are expected to hear a proposal for security/safety projects and related costs.
April 12, 2005 Meeting Summary
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met on Tuesday, April 12th in the library of Carroll High School. Architect Doug Benson of Huckabee & Associates was present to review Maintenance and Building Project Costs with members of the Bond Steering Committee. He also went over a Facilities Assessment Report prepared by Huckabee as part of the pre-bond planning services.
Related Press Release -
Architect Shares Initial Project Costs (issued 4.13.05)
Committee member Dan Holmes presented a Communications Subcommittee Report. Holmes said members of the Communications Subcommittee will each begin attending the various bond subcommittee meetings to ensure effective communication to the public.
The next meeting of the full Bond Steering Committee will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19th in the library of Carroll High School. Members of the Technology Subcommittee are expected to report back on project costs to the group. Director of Communications Julie Thannum will also discuss survey options and the public input process.
March 29, 2005 Meeting Summary
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met on Tuesday, March 29th in the library of Dawson Middle School School. Members of the various subcommittees gave a report on their meetings over the past several weeks.
Director of Communications Julie Thannum also presented a PowerPoint presentation on Ethics and Bond Elections. The presentation was put together by the Texas Ethics Commission and provided Bond Steering Committee members with a review of current election laws and limitations.
Harry Ingalls, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, presented Bond Steering Committee members with various scenarios as part of a Debt Plans Comparison. He also gave committee members an overview of the district's Building Capacity Model.
The next meeting of the Bond Steering Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12th from 6 to 8 p.m. in the library of Carroll High School.
March 15, 2005 Meeting Summary
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met on Tuesday, March 15th in the library of Carroll High School. Members of the various subcommittees gave a report on their meetings over the past several weeks.
Richard Sandow, chairman of the subcommittee on capacities, gave a PowerPoint presentation on CISD Building Capacities. Options for future classroom and facility needs were discussed for the various grade levels.
Transportation Director Steve Bond gave a report on the condition of the district's buses. He shared a copy of the CISD Bus Fleet Replacement Schedule with Bond Steering Committee members.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the entire Bond Steering Committee is Tuesday, March 29th in the library of Dawson Middle School. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
February 15, 2005 Meeting Summary
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met for another informational meeting on Tuesday, February 15th in the library of Carroll High School. The meeting was facilitated by Harry Ingalls, CISD's Assistant Superintendent for Operations.
Committee members heard a presentation on the Long Range Technology Plan as presented by Harry Ingalls. The plan was developed by the Technology Committee and outlines identified technology needs districtwide for 2004-2007.
The Bond Steering Committee visited a model technology classroom with Janet Corder, Instructional Technology Coordinator. The classroom is equipped with technology identified in the long-range technology plan.
Subcommittees met briefly to begin work on the following bond areas: capital improvements/maintenance, technology, safety/security needs, instructional needs, capacity/building use options and communications/publicity. The large group will reconvene in a couple of weeks after subcommittees have an opportunity to begin work on their particular topics.
February 8, 2005 Meeting Summary
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met for another informational meeting on Tuesday, February 8th in the library of Carroll High School. The meeting was facilitated by Harry Ingalls, CISD's Assistant Superintendent for Operations.
Bond Steering Committee members reached a consensus on the committee's leadership team. Co-chairing the committee will be citizens David McFarland and Ingrid DePinto. The following members agreed to serve as chairs of the various subcommittees: Jim Patterson (capital improvements/maintenance); Doug McKelvey (technology needs); Tony Dirker (safety/security needs); David Goodman and Monica Gattshall (instructional needs); Richard Sandow (capacity/building use options); and Dan Holmes (communications/publicity).
Julie Thannum, CISD's Communications Director, presented a review of the proposed 2002 school bond election, which was never called or presented to voters. Her PowerPoint presentation, The One That Got Away, walked committee members through one of the most tumultuous and political periods in the school district's history. She talked about the high school grade configuration decision, the change in the school/city leadership and the Administration project list which was never presented to citizens as part of an election. The information, she said, will be important as the current committee considers the needs and viability of a future school bond election.
Mr. Ingalls then walked the Committee through a School Property Presentation. He described in detail the land currently owned by CISD and explained the procedures (outlined in state law) which allow a School Board to declare property as surplus for sale. Trustees voted on Feb. 7 to declare the four acres at 1201 N. Carroll Avenue as surplus property. The Board plans to advertise the property, which also includes the former CISD Administration building, for at least a 90-day period. State law allows the money to be used for the construction or equipping of buildings, capital improvements/maintenance, land purchases or to pay off existing bonded indebtedness. To use the money for any other purpose would require voter approval.
Chief Accountant Christi Drilling then made a presentation called Selling Bonds 101. The PowerPoint walked committee members through the basics of school bonds, how they function and how they are paid back. She explained interest rates, call dates and terminology that might not necessarily be common knowledge to the general voter. Drilling walked committee members through the spreadsheets shared at the previous meeting by the Financial Advisors. Her presentation went into great deal about the basic financial aspects of selling bonds.
The Committee agreed to meet each Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in the library of Carroll High School. There will not, however, be a meeting on February 22.
January 27, 2005 Meeting Summary
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met for an informational meeting on Thursday, January 27 in the library of Carroll High School. The meeting was facilitated by Harry Ingalls, CISD's Assistant Superintendent for Operations.
Committee members heard a presentation on School Finance by Chief Financial Officer Sharon Eaves. She explained the basics of the Texas school finance system and reviewed CISD's current fund balance and budget situation. Committee members reviewed acronyms and financial terms commonly used among educators and discussed the district's various funding sources, property tax revenues and fund balance needs. Ms. Eaves explained that the school district's fiscal year begins September 1st and ends on August 31st. The current operating budget is about $63 million (including a $16+ million Robin Hood payment) for maintenance and operations and $17 million for debt service. Approximately 82 percent of the district's budget is earmarked for personnel costs.
Next, Mel Schonhorst of William R. Hough, the district's financial advisors, made a presentation on the district's Debt Capacity. He reviewed past bond issuances and explained the 50-cent state-imposed cap on a school district's bonded indebtedness. Mr. Schonhorst explained that the cap only applies to debt incurred by CISD prior to 1992. The district currently has the capacity to issue as much as $78 million in new debt without requiring a local tax increase. Members of the committee discussed variable and fixed rate bonds, as well as interest rates and the district's current bond rating. Mr. Schonhorst told the Bond Steering Committee members that in October the state of Texas announced that it could no longer guarantee school bonds under the Permanent School Fund. This means that districts like Carroll ISD will be required to sell bonds on the district's current credit rating or purchase private bond insurance.
Director of Communications Julie Thannum reviewed Bond Elections of the Past with steering committee members. She shared the background and outcomes of the past four bond elections in CISD: 1994, 1996, 1998 and 1999. Voters approved elections in 1994, 1996 and 1999, and rejected the 1998 bond package. Committee members were shown a snapshot of the school district in each of those years and lists of bond package propositions and projects, as well as election totals and outcomes. Ms. Thannum also shared lessons learned from the district's past decade of bond election experiences.
Harry Ingalls then shared a series of charts showing Historical and Projected Student Enrollment in CISD. Mr. Ingalls told the committee members that while he is not a professional demographer, he has estimated future enrollment growth based on a three-year average at each grade level. The district's enrollment is currently at 7,469 students - up 100 students since the beginning of the school year. School officials are watching this number closely as it relates to school budget projections and building capacity. Mr. Ingalls said significant growth levels in both the community and the school district occurred in the mid and late 1990s. During the last two years, the overall growth rate has experienced a marked decrease and appears to be moving toward a plateau. This year's 100-student increase, however, has stabilized compared to last year's fluctuations throughout the year. Mr. Ingalls also explained that CISD has a population bubble working its way through the system. This bubble will be at grades 8-12 in 2005-2006. CISD is projecting a conservative 1.65% increase in the student population over the next three years. Long-range projections show CISD at 8,300 students by year 2013-2014. Mr. Ingalls warns that enrollment projecting is an inexact science, however, and school officials will be monitoring enrollment trends annually.
Leadership Volunteers To Meet
No date was set for the next meeting; however, several members of the steering committee have volunteered to serve in leadership positions as either a co-chair of the committee or as a chairman of a subcommittee. Mr. Ingalls will meet with these volunteers at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1 in the Superintendent's Conference Room at the Administration Center, 3051 Dove Road in Grapevine. This group will help set up the committee's overall organization and future meeting dates/times.
January 18, 2005 Meeting Summary
The Carroll ISD Bond Steering Committee met for an orientation and organizational meeting on Tuesday, January 18 in the library of Carroll High School. The meeting was facilitated by Harry Ingalls, CISD's Assistant Superintendent for Operations.
School Board Vice President Darla Reed gave a welcome speech, thanking the committee members and their families for the commitment they are making to CISD and its children. She reminded the Bond Steering Committee that Trustees are not serving as committee members, but may sit in on discussion and/or answer clarifying questions from members. All meetings of the Bond Steering Committee will be posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. This will permit a quorum of Trustees to attend if they wish.
Superintendent Gary S. Mathews then welcomed the group and encouraged them in their mission to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Trustees. He said he looks forward to the report and recommendations that will eventually come from the Bond Steering Committee.
CISD Communications Director Julie Thannum then presented a PowerPoint presentation on school bond election basics. The presentation, The Road To A Bond Election, provided basic information about school bond elections, the committee's mission and objectives, and state election laws.
Harry Ingalls then facilitated a group mixer to give members an opportunity to get to know one another. The presentation, Getting To Know You, had committee members stand if they identify with a particular statement on a PowerPoint slide. The intent of this process was to show the diversity of the committee membership.
Bond Steering Committee members then completed a brief written survey so that CISD officials could compile a Bond Steering Committee Profile.
Mr. Ingalls then discussed the importance of Building an Educational Plan as the committee moves forward with its work. This PowerPoint presentation laid the groundwork for considering the educational needs of Carroll students in each and every recommendation of the Bond Steering Committee.
The group will next meet on Thursday, January 27 in the library of Carroll High School, 800 White Chapel Blvd. The time of this meeting is yet to be determined based on committee profile responses. At the Jan. 27 meeting, committee members will be given information from the school bond advisors, the finance department, and a demographic report on historical and projected student enrollment. Details of the district's past bond elections will also be discussed. This meeting will be videotaped due to the volume of information expected.
Subcommittee Meeting Announcements
Subcommittee Chairs who schedule meetings should contact the Communications Department with the meeting details so they can be posted to this website. 817-949-7080 or E-mail jthannum@cisdmail.com
Carroll Independent School District
Email the Webmaster: jthannum@cisdmail.com