Academic Fundamentals.
At last week's Round Rock ISD board meeting, attendees had the opportunity to review a construction report for "Success High School." The Success High School program has been in existence for some years and currently conducts classes for 'at risk' students at Stony Point and Westwood High Schools. Last year, however, the board of trustees voted to take $25 million from the general fund to build a single campus east of IH-35 off Gattis School Road. The decision has been controversial since it is no secret that RRISD is very much in need of several new schools and apparently the drop-out student program serves as few as 37 students per day.
In the construction update, it was revealed that the $25 million campus will include a total of eight classrooms. Of course any campus has more than just classrooms. It is important to realize that in addition to the eight classrooms, the cost also covers an administration wing, childcare facility, and the requisite coffee bar for students.
At a recent RRISD budget workshop, it was announced that the district will face a shortfall of $15 to $20 million in the 2013-14 budget cycle. Unsurprisingly, Trustee Glen Colby proposed raising property taxes via a Tax Ratification Election (TRE) later this year. Sadly, the district really does need new schools, something the board disregarded when setting funding priorities last year, but can no longer afford to ignore. Round Rock families get ready; your taxes haven't finished climbing...
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