Leander ISD Debt A Major Factor in May Elections

Although it pales in comparison to the national debt, the Leander Independent School District's $2,676,639,982.00 in total debt is nothing to sneeze at.  Yep, you read that right; Leander ISD is now nearly $2.7 billion in debt.  Even worse is that LISD has been exploiting use of Capital Appreciation Bonds, or CABs, to the point of being called out in the Austin American Statesman.  (Use of CABs will result in LISD taxpayers having to pay $9 for every $1 borrowed.)  And it's not just us meany-cow Conservatives sounding the alarm on CABs; even the New York Times is voicing concern over CAB debt, and one state has already outlawed CABs.

LISD's deplorable debt is rapidly becoming an issue in the upcoming Board elections.  Jim MacKay of Cedar Park has filed for Place 3, and is questioning the poor leadership decisions that landed the district in such a financial mess.  He notes that as a result of poor financial decisions, the LISD's Fitch Bond Rating dropped from "AAA" to "AA," and most recently to "AA-".  To cope with these issues, LISD residents now pay one of the highest school property tax rates in Texas.  ($1.51187 per $100 of valuation.)  And don't forget, while Leander touts some pretty awesome and awesomely expensive football stadiums, they also have at least one empty school building they don't know what to do with.  (How about leasing them out to someone who can use them?)

Mr. MacKay is well known in the community for his volunteerism with the school district (he is "The Voice" of the Vista Ridge Football program, and since moving to the District has become a member of the Vista Ridge high School Campus Site-base committee as well as two advisory councils).  A former air traffic controller with the U.S. Air Force, MacKay continues to serve with the Air National Guard as a firefighter and medical first responder.  Some current board members are very upset with MacKay for challenging the cozy status quo, and have begun a whisper campaign claiming that they've never seen him before.  Of course this is a little awkward since the LISD School Board presented him with the Demonstrating Acts of Heroism Award just last November.

LISD leadership has been in place for a long, long time.  Trustee Don Hisle has enjoyed a seat on the board for 18 years now, and despite the district's desperate financial situation, allegedly he is very upset with Jim MacKay for asking too many pesky questions.  Unfortunately, Hisle's hegemony over the district won't be challenged this year; his current term doesn't end until 2015.  Pamela Waggoner, Russel Bundy, and Grace Barber-Jordan are all up for re-election this year.  MacKay is challenging Waggoner, who has served on the board intermittently since 2002.

I look forward to hearing more about Jim MacKay's campaign, and hope to keep readers updated until the May 11, 2013 Elections.  In the meantime, check out MacKay's website to learn more.

 Jim MacKay, Candidate for LISD Place 3.

Round Rock School Board Meeting December 13: Chock Full of Fun!

For those who have been following the many "interesting" issues surrounding the Round Rock School District, you might consider attending the December 13 Board meeting scheduled for 7 P.M. at the Round Rock High School Lecture Hall.

According to the posted agenda, during the open session the Board will be discussing the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC).  Last month the Superintendent acknowledged that his administration had not followed state law in conducting the 2011-2012 SHAC, so now the Board must reformulate the council.  It will be interesting to see if they re-appoint Mr. Lynn Williams, the gentleman who called attention to the improper proceedings of last year's SHAC.

Also listed on the agenda is a Superintendent's report on "School Vouchers/School Choice."  In November, the administration invited the anti-choice group "Raise Your Hand Texas" to present a 'workshop' to the trustees, but as of yet the board has not heard from both sides of the issue.  It appears that the Superintendent is pushing the board to take an official stance on legislative issues.  If they do so, Superintendent Chavez will be free to lobby the State Legislature during the 2013 session.  (And we thought we paid him over $300,000 per year to run the school district.)

Finally, while the $25 million campus for drop-out students is not on the agenda, the Bond 2013 Study Decision is listed as an "Action Item."  Although the district is very much in need of elementary and middle schools, the board spent some $74 million on pet projects they knew voters would not approve.  Now, however, the RRISD can plead poverty and convince voters to approve new bond debt and tax increases.  Fitch reports that RRISD debt is already "Above Average" at $703 million, but this seems to be just fine with Fitch and our government culture of borrow and spend.(Supposedly RRISD isn't anything like Leander ISD with $1.3 billion in debt and a CAB Fiasco in the works.  Time will tell.)

Regarding the Success High School program for drop-out students, the district continues to maintain secrecy and only point to 'enrollment' numbers.  Voters should be aware, however, that students only need to show up for one day to be considered 'enrolled.'  Whether or not these students actually attend the program is another matter altogether.  As Trustee Romere discovered last month, average daily attendance hovers around 40 students per day.  At $25 million, taxpayers are spending $625,000 per student just to build the campus, never mind the maintenance and operation costs that will come after completion. 

Considering all of these issues, one finds it very difficult to trust the RRISD with such ample financial resources and/or the education of the majority of the community's children.  (Remember, RRISD academic rating has fallen from "Recognized" to "Acceptable," and now has several schools rated "Academically Unacceptable.")

Taxpayers and parents should be asking this board and administration for transparency and honesty.  The citizens of the community are entitled to the truth, and perhaps we need to be a little more vocal in asking questions.

If you wish to contact your elected board members, please strive to be courteous and respectful.  

Pauline Law:  pauline_law@roundrockisd.org

Brian Sellers:  brian_sellers@roundrockisd.org

Diane Cox:  diane_cox@roundrockisd.org

Catherine Hanna:  catherine_hanna@roundrockisd.org

Chad Chadwell:  charles_chadwell@roundrockisd.org

Glen Colby:  glen_colby@roundrockisd.org

Terri Romere:  terri_romere@roundrockisd.org