Central Machine Works
New Bond Blues
RECEIVED Tue., Aug. 23, 2022
Dear Editor,
I read your article on the proposed AISD bond with great interest as an AISD parent and a long-time supporter of every bond that comes across the ballot. This year my interest in bonds has cooled. I have voted for billions in bonds knowing that each one would impact my budget; but what have I accomplished beyond pricing myself out of my own city? You know the drill: AISD is facing $800 million in recapture payments to the hinterlands (an estimated $6 billion total since 2001, according to the district), AISD enrollment is stalled despite Central Texas’ overall growth, and schools are forever on the chopping block; how is yet another property tax hike going to address what’s fundamentally dysfunctional? I’m especially salty since my kids’ school was shuttered in the 2020 closures – where was the last billion-dollar bond then? I have more faith in the current AISD board than I have in a long time, and when people like LaTisha Anderson says she has “never seen AISD bring forward such an equity-focused bond” I am inclined to listen. But rather than looking ahead, I think AISD – and Austin as a whole – needs to better account for the money we’ve already allocated for projects around the city. I don’t need another grand vision, I want accountability. I’ll show you the money if you show me the progress.
I read your article on the proposed AISD bond with great interest as an AISD parent and a long-time supporter of every bond that comes across the ballot. This year my interest in bonds has cooled. I have voted for billions in bonds knowing that each one would impact my budget; but what have I accomplished beyond pricing myself out of my own city? You know the drill: AISD is facing $800 million in recapture payments to the hinterlands (an estimated $6 billion total since 2001, according to the district), AISD enrollment is stalled despite Central Texas’ overall growth, and schools are forever on the chopping block; how is yet another property tax hike going to address what’s fundamentally dysfunctional? I’m especially salty since my kids’ school was shuttered in the 2020 closures – where was the last billion-dollar bond then? I have more faith in the current AISD board than I have in a long time, and when people like LaTisha Anderson says she has “never seen AISD bring forward such an equity-focused bond” I am inclined to listen. But rather than looking ahead, I think AISD – and Austin as a whole – needs to better account for the money we’ve already allocated for projects around the city. I don’t need another grand vision, I want accountability. I’ll show you the money if you show me the progress.
Ian Ragsdale