|
|
Post by leopard4life on Nov 1, 2018 21:31:04 GMT -6
I've seen this. I don't think the district would consider closing Carroll due to "growth in the south", but they might have to wait until another bond to get it through. Yes, the cost has increased, but that is because everyone is building. I think the district is fiscally responsible in regards to using the exact same floor plan as Vets, which lowers costs. I also disagree with the decision to open up enrollment at Vets. But it is clear that these schools are not in good shape, and all 5 of the old ones need to be replaced in the next 10-15 years. I don't think they will either. But opponents are justifly point out that the claims of enrollement growth in the school district are bogus as one of the reason to build it. But the CCISD created that mess by not redrawing the boundries years ago and not sticking with the orginal plan with Vets. However, some of these same people who are against it would probably complain if their own kids got redrawn into a zone they didn't like. Kind of the like NIMBY mentallity when some big project is proposed and suddenly a proponet becomes an opponent when it's proposed close to where they live. Yes, they all need major work or replacement. I will say the Calallen needs to replace their high school too. I thought in the last bond issue, we should of rolled the dice and went for it or include more in for massive renovation or retrofit, but they chose to do an additional wing which will be utlized a science and technolgy wing and some other building modifications. We have to build an additional K-3 school to accomodate the additional real growth instead of a new high school. But I can almost be certain we could of done for less the than $125 million, construction costs not withstanding. Something just doesn't smell right. There is a limit that school districts can borrow. The districts are given an S&P Rating (Standard & Poors). The higher the rating the lower the interest rates. There is a ceiling a district can borrow against if they try to go over that magic number their interest rates increase and the amount they can borrow shrinks. |
|
|
|
Post by picodegallo on Nov 2, 2018 6:14:40 GMT -6
I don't think they will either. But opponents are justifly point out that the claims of enrollement growth in the school district are bogus as one of the reason to build it. But the CCISD created that mess by not redrawing the boundries years ago and not sticking with the orginal plan with Vets. However, some of these same people who are against it would probably complain if their own kids got redrawn into a zone they didn't like. Kind of the like NIMBY mentallity when some big project is proposed and suddenly a proponet becomes an opponent when it's proposed close to where they live. Yes, they all need major work or replacement. I will say the Calallen needs to replace their high school too. I thought in the last bond issue, we should of rolled the dice and went for it or include more in for massive renovation or retrofit, but they chose to do an additional wing which will be utlized a science and technolgy wing and some other building modifications. We have to build an additional K-3 school to accomodate the additional real growth instead of a new high school. But I can almost be certain we could of done for less the than $125 million, construction costs not withstanding. Something just doesn't smell right. There is a limit that school districts can borrow. The districts are given an S&P Rating (Standard & Poors). The higher the rating the lower the interest rates. There is a ceiling a district can borrow against if they try to go over that magic number their interest rates increase and the amount they can borrow shrinks. Correct. I am afraid somewhere along the line in many of these districts, a tipping point is going to occur and it's not going to be pretty. I think S&P and some of the other rating services need to take into account how much additional burden the actual taxpayers can take on with their individual tax bills. Some ISD's and Cities for that matter probably need to be told to take a break for an election cycle or two so taxpayers can have a breather and the existing debt can be paid down. Or like in the CCISD's case, they should "suggest" to the school board that maybe going for a lower bond would be better for all vs the higher amount and leave some of that borrowing capacity for another day, like in case they had to rebuild a bunch of infrastructure due to a Cat 4 hurricane. Last year at this time, this city was a shift of 30 miles with Harvey from having to just do that. |
|
|
|
Post by leopard4life on Nov 2, 2018 8:09:02 GMT -6
There is a limit that school districts can borrow. The districts are given an S&P Rating (Standard & Poors). The higher the rating the lower the interest rates. There is a ceiling a district can borrow against if they try to go over that magic number their interest rates increase and the amount they can borrow shrinks. Correct. I am afraid somewhere along the line in many of these districts, a tipping point is going to occur and it's not going to be pretty. I think S&P and some of the other rating services need to take into account how much additional burden the actual taxpayers can take on with their individual tax bills. Some ISD's and Cities for that matter probably need to be told to take a break for an election cycle or two so taxpayers can have a breather and the existing debt can be paid down. Or like in the CCISD's case, they should "suggest" to the school board that maybe going for a lower bond would be better for all vs the higher amount and leave some of that borrowing capacity for another day, like in case they had to rebuild a bunch of infrastructure due to a Cat 4 hurricane. Last year at this time, this city was a shift of 30 miles with Harvey from having to just do that. Unfortunately, the high growth areas don't get an opportunity to take a breather. The kids are moving into the schools whether the schools are ready or not. Another favorite of ISD's and municipalities is to sell the community on a bond package that will leave their tax bill the same, or actually lower the tax bill. An older bond package is about to expire so they write up a new bond package that is equal to or lower than the previous. This is equivalent to paying off your credit card bill and then going on a spending spree. The tax bill would have automatically been lowered when the bond expired, but the voters were hoodwinked into renewing the debt. This happened in Collin County with the Community Colleges. The wording on the Bond Issue was such that it seemed like voting yes wouldn't cost the voter anything... As far as Harvey the school district should already be carrying insurance to cover infrastructure (probably at an extremely high rate/deductible). The additional debt capacity could be used for improvements on top of the insurance money. An expansion could be added or upgrades could be included as debt. |
|
|
|
Post by picodegallo on Nov 7, 2018 7:29:55 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by ricosuave on Nov 7, 2018 10:51:48 GMT -6
All of this amounts to the growth is getting crazy here in the metroplex from north, south, east, to west. It's occurring everywhere.
|
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 7, 2018 17:01:56 GMT -6
All of this amounts to the growth is getting crazy here in the metroplex from north, south, east, to west. It's occurring everywhere. Yes, and it is very annoying. |
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 7, 2018 17:07:16 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 7, 2018 17:13:22 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 7, 2018 17:18:25 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 7, 2018 17:19:42 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 7, 2018 17:27:46 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 7, 2018 17:38:19 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 7, 2018 18:08:15 GMT -6
They are also starting the rezoning process. Expect Willowridge and Marshall to have their enrollments increased (if this district can get it right..). It is possible HS #12 will not be built if they don't deem it necessary. |
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 12, 2018 19:06:10 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by rtxc1 on Nov 12, 2018 19:18:10 GMT -6
The 9th grade center will open "at the end of the 2020 fall semester." So January 2021? If a bond passes in the next year, the additional construction should be able to be completed by Fall 2021 or no later than Fall 2022. My take is expect Hutto HS #2 to be fielding varsity sports for the 2022 alignment. Also, please let the mascot be the Rhinos! |
|
