atlanta isd

How was the need for the bond election determined?
The need for a new middle school has long been established through the work of faculty, administrators, board members and community members over the course of the last several years. Middle school faculty members have worked in space and design planning along with campus administration and school architects and have toured many other schools both in this area and out of state. The dedication of these persons in determining the present and future needs of Atlanta's students was a guiding force in making the decision to call the bond election at this time.

How was the need for the bond election determined?

The need for a new middle school has long been established through the work of faculty, administrators, board members and community members over the course of the last several years. Middle school faculty members have worked in space and design planning along with campus administration and school architects and have toured many other schools both in this area and out of state. The dedication of these persons in determining the present and future needs of Atlanta's students was a guiding force in making the decision to call the bond election at this time.

When is the bond election and where do I vote?
Early voting is October 19-30, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the AISD Administration Office, 106 West Main, Atlanta, TX and also at the Cass County Voting Building, 227 East Rush, Linden, TX. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2009 with the polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Election Day voting will take place in precincts where all other elections are held. All registered voters living in the Atlanta Independent School District are eligible to vote. The last day to register to vote is Monday, October 5, 2009.

When is the bond election and where do I vote?

Early voting is October 19-30, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the AISD Administration Office, 106 West Main, Atlanta, TX and also at the Cass County Voting Building, 227 East Rush, Linden, TX.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2009 with the polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Election Day voting will take place in precincts where all other elections are held.

All registered voters living in the Atlanta Independent School District are eligible to vote.

The last day to register to vote is Monday, October 5, 2009.

Where will I find the AISD ballot when I vote?
Electronic ballots on voting machines will be used at all voting locations. Statewide constitutional amendments will be first on the ballot. AISD's bond will be at the END of the ballot.

Where will I find the AISD ballot when I vote?

Electronic ballots on voting machines will be used at all voting locations.

Statewide constitutional amendments will be first on the ballot.

AISD's bond will be at the END of the ballot.

How will this bond election benefit my child and my community?
Located on the site of the current middle school at 600 High School Lane, a new main building will be constructed that will be connected to the current west building. The current west building will be totally remodeled and redesigned for modern classroom and office spaces. The new main building will contain classrooms, science labs, computer labs, library/media center, restrooms, gymnasium, band hall and cafeteria. The existing main building will be demolished after construction is complete.

How will this bond election benefit my child and my community?

Located on the site of the current middle school at 600 High School Lane, a new main building will be constructed that will be connected to the current west building.

The current west building will be totally remodeled and redesigned for modern classroom and office spaces.

The new main building will contain classrooms, science labs, computer labs, library/media center, restrooms, gymnasium, band hall and cafeteria.

The existing main building will be demolished after construction is complete.

How much is the bond election and will approval raise my taxes?
The bonds will total $13,860,000. The tax rate increase will be 16 cents per $100 valuation. The average homeowner in AISD, with a value of $65,142, can expect to pay an additional $8.69 per month. Taxpayers age 65 and older who have applied for and received the "Over 65 Tax Freeze" on their homestead will pay NO INCREASE as a result of this bond election.

How much is the bond election and will approval raise my taxes?

The bonds will total $13,860,000.

The tax rate increase will be 16 cents per $100 valuation.

The average homeowner in AISD, with a value of $65,142, can expect to pay an additional $8.69 per month.

Taxpayers age 65 and older who have applied for and received the "Over 65 Tax Freeze" on their homestead will pay NO INCREASE as a result of this bond election.

How will the bonds be financed?
Recently, AISD applied for and was awarded the Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) program which allows for $5.7 million in bonds to be issued at NO INTEREST for 15 years. The remaining bonds will be issued at approximately 4.85% interest for 25 years. After the first 15 years, the QSCB's will be paid off and the tax rate to pay the remaining debt will decrease to 10 cents per $100 valuation. The QSCB's are estimated to save over $4.2 million in interest over traditional bond financing. In addition, the Existing Debt Allotment (EDA) will also pay a portion of the principal and interest on this debt.

How will the bonds be financed?

Recently, AISD applied for and was awarded the Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) program which allows for $5.7 million in bonds to be issued at NO INTEREST for 15 years.

The remaining bonds will be issued at approximately 4.85% interest for 25 years.

After the first 15 years, the QSCB's will be paid off and the tax rate to pay the remaining debt will decrease to 10 cents per $100 valuation.

The QSCB's are estimated to save over $4.2 million in interest over traditional bond financing.

In addition, the Existing Debt Allotment (EDA) will also pay a portion of the principal and interest on this debt.

What are qualified school construction bonds?
The QSCB is a new federal program that allows states to award school districts through a first-come, first-serve application process. Private investors in QSCB's receive a federal income tax credit in exchange for no interest on their investment. The amount of AISD's award was limited by the Texas Education Agency to $5.7 million.

What are qualified school construction bonds?

The QSCB is a new federal program that allows states to award school districts through a first-come, first-serve application process.

Private investors in QSCB's receive a federal income tax credit in exchange for no interest on their investment.

The amount of AISD's award was limited by the Texas Education Agency to $5.7 million.

What is the Existing Debt Allotment?
Around ten years ago, the Texas Legislature authorized the EDA to assist school districts in their instructional facility needs. EDA funding is based on a combination of enrollment and district-wide tax values. The 2009 bonds - both QSCB and traditional - will qualify for the EDA. In 2009, the Legislature made the EDA permanent - this means that schools no longer have to wait for each legislative session to reauthorize the program. All qualifying school bonds in Texas now are guaranteed participation in EDA. AISD's debt that can be funded by EDA is approximately 42% at the current time.

What is the Existing Debt Allotment?

Around ten years ago, the Texas Legislature authorized the EDA to assist school districts in their instructional facility needs.

EDA funding is based on a combination of enrollment and district-wide tax values.

The 2009 bonds - both QSCB and traditional - will qualify for the EDA.

In 2009, the Legislature made the EDA permanent - this means that schools no longer have to wait for each legislative session to reauthorize the program.

All qualifying school bonds in Texas now are guaranteed participation in EDA.

AISD's debt that can be funded by EDA is approximately 42% at the current time.