Message from Stephani Stone.
Send an email to make a difference.
Show up at the meeting to be heard.
--------------------------------
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
? 
As you may know, AISD currently has the option to purchase what is known as ''tract 101,'' at the corner of Slaughter Lane and 1826, for a new middle school for our area. Much to my dismay, I have learned that AISD is considering removing money for tract 101 from their 2004 school bond package.?  If they do not buy this land it will be developed as apartments and retail instead.? 
? 
Please take the time to tell AISD how crowded our schools have become and how much our kids need this new school. The schools will only become more overcrowded as the new housing developments in the area are completed.?  The bond package should include money to both buy the land and build the school.? 
? 
There is a meeting planned at Kiker Elementary on February 12 at 7 pm.?  Jeff Walker, who is on the Bond Advisory Committee, will present the meeting.?  On February 26, at 6:30 there will be a public forum meeting at Small Middle School.?  Please try to attend both of these meetings.?  We cannot let the students of Southwest Austin be overlooked in the bond package.
? 
You can email all of the Trustees at trustees@austin.isd.tenet.edu
? 
Or you can? contact them individually at
? 

PRESIDENT
AT-LARGE POSITION 8
Mr. Doyle Valdez
Term Expires: May 2004
P. O. Box 26427
Austin, TX 78755
OFFICE TELEPHONE: 502-1007
VICE PRESIDENT
TRUSTEE DISTRICT 5
Ms. Ingrid Taylor
Term Expires: May 2004
P. O. Box 300910
Austin, TX 78703
OFFICE TELEPHONE: 469-9670

SECRETARY
TRUSTEE DISTRICT 4
Ms. Ave Wahrmund
Term Expires: May 2006
5808 Valley Circle
Austin, TX 78731
RESIDENCE TELEPHONE: 467-8554
TRUSTEE DISTRICT 1
Ms. Cheryl Bradley
Term Expires: May 2006
1198 Angelina
Austin, TX 78702
RESIDENCE TELEPHONE: 472-9554

TRUSTEE DISTRICT 2
Mr. Rudy Montoya, Jr.
Term Expires: May 2004
1808 Woodland Ave.
Austin, TX 78741
RESIDENCE TELEPHONE: 916-8921
TRUSTEE DISTRICT 3
Ms. Johna Edwards
Term Expires: May 2004
12317 Antoinette Place
Austin, TX 78727
RESIDENCE TELEPHONE: 837-5488

TRUSTEE DISTRICT 6
Ms. Patricia A. Whiteside
Term Expires: May 2006
2307 Barton Hills Dr.
Austin, TX 78704
OFFICE TELEPHONE: 442-7637
TRUSTEE DISTRICT 7
Mr. Robert Schneider
Term Expires: May 2006
8031 Doe Meadow Drive
Austin, TX 78749
RESIDENCE TELEPHONE: 288-4626

AT-LARGE POSITION 9
Mr. John Fitzpatrick
Term Expires: May 2006
512 Terrace Drive
Austin, TX 78704
OFFICE TELEPHONE: 323-6773 ext 110
? 
Sincerely,
Stephani Stone

Bigger issue than just Circle C

The school bonds are important for our greater community.

I counted 7 temporary buildings out back of Kiker. It's pretty obvious that school is over-crowded. I think that the entire 3rdis housed out doors.

This is an issue that we can all support and we can join our neighbors to make sure we get funding to build a new school on tract 101 (Slaughter Lane at FM 1826).

The meeting at Kiker is Tonight, Feb 12th at 7pm.

Amen

You're absolutely right, Russ. This is important for our greater community. I didn't realize until today that Kiker might also be a beneficiary of the bond package, and help/space is badly needed.

We actually have 11 portables in the back which house all of second and third grades, a music room (portables are truly inferior for that) and several special services. Thankfully, 11 is down from our peak of 22 -- when we had more kids outside than inside the main building -- but still unacceptable. Especially with the continued growth of our neighborhood.

Historically, AISD has not been one to build for the future. Seems like we're always playing catch up. I might be wrong, but I believe Kiker has had portables since Day 1. I know for sure we've had them every year since the second. I used to say it was the great oxymoron ... Temporary Portables. They've been neither.

Leander ISD on the other hand seems to have more foresight. Steiner Ranch Elementary opened with a complete section of the building ''shut off'' in preparation for the future, which is now being utilized. What a concept.

We need a lot of support for this bond package. Not just for our property values, but our children's future.