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Thursday
December 31, 2009 Since 1922 |
Bonds still months away for Anahuac ISD
By Kaylie Malone
Correspondent Published November 7, 2009 ANAHUAC — Although voters overwhelmingly approved a $12.86 bond plan for Anahuac ISD, it will be early next year before the district can begin issuing the bonds for school improvements.
“I am so very proud for the students of Anahuac ISD, and so very thankful to everyone who made this bond a success,” said Dr. Linda Kay Barnhart, AISD superintendent.
A few needs to be addressed by the bond are a larger middle school library meeting state requirements, science classroom updates to support curriculum at the elementary, middle, and high school, technology infrastructures at all campuses, new elementary computer lab, improve locker room facilities for girl’s P.E. classes and athletics, and much more.
At 1,533 square feet, the middle school library is smaller than Texas code requirements and does not include appropriate areas for library programming. Current science classrooms are not capable of being remodeled in a manner bringing them into compliance with state curriculum standards.
The district’s newest building was built before the advent of the personal computer. The buildings are not equipped to support current and future student technology needs. The elementary school’s computer lab is not adequate to service the student population. Federal requirements for the girl’s locker room mandate equal facilities for female and male students. At present, the girls do not have a sufficient locker room or weight room.
But before all these changes can happen, Barnhart said, first the county has to count the votes on Nov. 2.
After the votes are counted, there will be a 30 period to allow Anahuac residents to contest the changes.
In December, there will be a special meeting, where Southwest Securities — the firm managing the bonds — will bring their suggestions on the timing, the sale, and their methods.
Then in January, they will come back with the bond council and the school board will adopt the order authorizing the issuance of the bonds. The bonds will have to be sent to the attorney general for his review, which can take up to 30 days, and then in February the board is expected to close the issue.
The tax increase from this year’s bond election will be below the $1.61 tax rate paid in 2005 and 2006. The state of Texas assists local school districts with the repayment of voted bonds through Instructional Facilities Allotment (IFA) and Existing Debt Allotment (EDA).
The district will receive help through the EDA program and will apply for aid through the IFA program.
These programs together currently pay approximately 30 percent on the District’s outstanding bond principal and interest payments.
In addition, the District may be able to further reduce annual principal and interest payments by selling bonds through a new federal program under which the District has taken the appropriate action and received permission to participate in. This is the opportune time because interest rates and building costs are at an all time low.
In Tuesday’s election citizens of Anahuac passed the school district’s bond by nearly 70 percent.
Visit the District’s website at www.anahuac.isd.esc.4.net for further information.
Correspondent Published November 7, 2009 ANAHUAC — Although voters overwhelmingly approved a $12.86 bond plan for Anahuac ISD, it will be early next year before the district can begin issuing the bonds for school improvements.
“I am so very proud for the students of Anahuac ISD, and so very thankful to everyone who made this bond a success,” said Dr. Linda Kay Barnhart, AISD superintendent.
A few needs to be addressed by the bond are a larger middle school library meeting state requirements, science classroom updates to support curriculum at the elementary, middle, and high school, technology infrastructures at all campuses, new elementary computer lab, improve locker room facilities for girl’s P.E. classes and athletics, and much more.
At 1,533 square feet, the middle school library is smaller than Texas code requirements and does not include appropriate areas for library programming. Current science classrooms are not capable of being remodeled in a manner bringing them into compliance with state curriculum standards.
The district’s newest building was built before the advent of the personal computer. The buildings are not equipped to support current and future student technology needs. The elementary school’s computer lab is not adequate to service the student population. Federal requirements for the girl’s locker room mandate equal facilities for female and male students. At present, the girls do not have a sufficient locker room or weight room.
But before all these changes can happen, Barnhart said, first the county has to count the votes on Nov. 2.
After the votes are counted, there will be a 30 period to allow Anahuac residents to contest the changes.
In December, there will be a special meeting, where Southwest Securities — the firm managing the bonds — will bring their suggestions on the timing, the sale, and their methods.
Then in January, they will come back with the bond council and the school board will adopt the order authorizing the issuance of the bonds. The bonds will have to be sent to the attorney general for his review, which can take up to 30 days, and then in February the board is expected to close the issue.
The tax increase from this year’s bond election will be below the $1.61 tax rate paid in 2005 and 2006. The state of Texas assists local school districts with the repayment of voted bonds through Instructional Facilities Allotment (IFA) and Existing Debt Allotment (EDA).
The district will receive help through the EDA program and will apply for aid through the IFA program.
These programs together currently pay approximately 30 percent on the District’s outstanding bond principal and interest payments.
In addition, the District may be able to further reduce annual principal and interest payments by selling bonds through a new federal program under which the District has taken the appropriate action and received permission to participate in. This is the opportune time because interest rates and building costs are at an all time low.
In Tuesday’s election citizens of Anahuac passed the school district’s bond by nearly 70 percent.
Visit the District’s website at www.anahuac.isd.esc.4.net for further information.