Well - it wasn't a huge turnout, but folks from both sides of our political drama turned out to support the proposed school bond and lobby for the construction of a new middle school. We certainly made our presence known - and pretty much everyone made a good case. You had to see it to believe it...Rigsbee, Russ Hodes, Donald Abrahms, Quentin and Susan Hoover among those on the same side.
While i'm not sure if we changed any minds - it was good to know the neighborhood stands solidly behind something so important.

Support OUR AISD schools !

Turnout for these neighborhood forums has been dismal (60 people in our area alone - 10 from CCR).

Write email TODAY to
> pturner@austin.isd.tenet.edu <


Please write an email and tell AISD we need a bigger bond package ($500 Million, not $400).

AISD will buy the Tract #101 land, but NOT the new school !
* ASK AISD FOR IT Today, or wait another 6 years....




repost of details:

AISD Citizens?’Bond Advisory Committee to Seek Community Input
The Austin School District's Citizens' Bond Advisory Committee will hold four public forums to receive community input on a proposed bond initiative.

The last public forums:

* Tuesday, March 2, 6:30 p.m., at Mendez Middle School, in the theatre, located at 5106 Village Square.

* Thursday, March 4, 6:30 p.m., at Martin Middle School, in the cafeteria, located at 1601 Haskell.


The CBAC is a group of 19 Austin citizens. The Committee is chaired by John Blazier, Sheryl Cole and Vincent Torres.

The CBAC is scheduled to make its recommendations to the Board of Trustees in March.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO increase THE BOND PACKAGE TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE recommended items (more schools and technology, band rooms, etc.)

The anticipated bond election would likely be held in the fall. Citizens will be allowed to speak in the order in which they sign-up, beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the site of the forum. Those who have thoughts on the bond initiative, but will be unable to attend the public forums, may email their comments to pturner@austin.isd.tenet.edu.

Last public Forum on AISD Bonds

Last chance to comment in person on the proposed bond package before this committee passes on their recommendations to the full board!

If you want a school built on the Tract #101 property, you had better tell them in person. They have recommened buying the land, but NOT to build the school there. That will have to wait another 6 years, if we can't change their minds.

This committee had recommended only asking for $400 M out of the $600 M in projects that need funding. They don't think voters will pass a $600 M bond in September. YOU have to convince them that it WILL pass and that YOU WILL VOTE FOR IT.


Otherwise, they are going to recommend the smaller package and our schools will not get the attention they need.


Go in person, or join the new email group that was just setup (* * * * bond2004-discuss@defoc.us * * * *) for other comments for Circle C people, but today is that last day for public comment before this recommendation goes to the school board for approval:

The last public forums:

* Thursday, March 4, 6:30 p.m., at Martin Middle School, in the cafeteria, located at 1601 Haskell.



========== From Quentin Fennessy ====

I've created a mailing list for AISD 2004 bond discussions. The program that manages the list will send out invitations later this evening--you can opt in if you choose.


The idea is that there is a core group of folks in on the discussion and this address (bond2004-discuss@defoc.us) will reflect any email sent to it to all the folks who have subscribed.


This list is strictly for the bond discussion. We have no intention of expanding its scope or using these addresses for any other purpose.