Posted: Fri, 20 May 2011 01:50 PM - 15,051 Readers

By: Taylor Short

The Lake Travis ISD school board unanimously approved a $158.5 million bond package May 19 and set a November 8 election date.

The bond items include technology, instructional materials and maintenance for Lake Travis High School, Lake Travis Middle School, Hudson Bend Middle School and all five elementary schools for about $149 million.

District-wide technology, security, maintenance, transportation and other improvements account for $9.27 million of the bond, which was compiled by a 28-member committee. made up of residents in each of the school attendance zones. The goal was to prepare the district for demographic reports that predict several schools to reach full capacity by 2025.

Board members and staff thanked the committee for vetting the items and leaving only necessary improvements.

"This is an absolute critical juncture in our district," said outgoing board member Mayo Davidson, who has seen many bond issues in the 12 years he has been a trustee. The district swore in newly elected board member Robert Brewer, who took Place 6 after Davidson stepped down.

"We need to keep ahead of the curve," Davidson said.

The bond increases the school tax by 9.24 cents, for a total tax rate of $1.4083 per $100 of assessed property valuation. If approved, the election would add about $281.88 in property taxes annually to the average home, according to a district news release.

The board also unanimously selected the West Cypress Hills site for the sixth elementary school, which if approved in November, would be funded by $25 million from the bond.

Jim Ratcliff, senior director of facilities, construction and auxiliary services, said the location was recommended for its proximity to a large population of elementary students, access to sidewalks, an anticipated new roadway and location on the western edge of the district.