Rumor vs. Fact

AISD PRESS RELEASE

Rumor: Based on the states student to teacher ratios, if the Alvin ISD Bond Election fails the State will build schools to accommodate overcrowding.
Fact: Alvin ISD is currently dealing with over-crowding at half of the District’s campuses. After a school district bond issue is passed the State may provide support to the school district that will lessen the tax burden and improve the district's bond rating which may result in lowering the bond interest rate. However, when a bond issue does not pass, the state does not provide any additional funding or support. The District would accommodate the addition of 900 students a year with the purchase and utilization of temporary classroom buildings at existing campuses.

Rumor: Alvin ISD debt is $483,626,570.50 with a per student debt of $25,770.00
Fact: The most recent Alvin ISD audited financial records indicate the District currently has a principal debt of $311,612,987 with a debt per student of $16,499.68. When comparing Alvin ISD to other Texas districts that have grown by more than 5,000 students since 2002-2003, with a debt of $100M, the average debt per student debt is $18,156 while Alvin ISD’s figure is less than $16,500.

Rumor: The location of the new [Manvel] Jr. High is good for AISD but not for the community they serve.
Fact: Alvin ISD Jr High Campuses are built for 1,000 students yet Nolan Ryan Jr. high currently serves 1,185 and Manvel Jr. High at Rodeo Palms, which opened last year, already serves 883 students. By 2016, Templeton Demographics projects these two schools are projected to serve 2,477 students, 477 over capacity.

The utilization of property just north of Manvel High School was deemed as an ideal location for the students of Alvin ISD after a multi-year land search. The construction of Manvel Jr. High on this site already owned by the District will reduce the cost of land and adequate drainage, which in turn saves tax payers money. Additionally, this location provides the needed infrastructure such as roads, utilities, water and sewer. The District commissioned an in-depth traffic analysis to ensure that traffic at McCoy Rd. and Hwy 6 would be acceptable. The combination of staggered school start and end times at Manvel High School and the proposed Manvel Jr. High, in conjunction with minor adjustments to driveways and turn lanes ensures the community will not see a substantial impact to the traffic in the area.

Rumor: AISD has $28 million dollars in their slush fund.
Fact: Alvin ISD does not have a slush fund of any kind. Each year the District undergoes the mandatory scrutiny of an outside auditing firm to review the Districts financial records. A public hearing was held on October 8, 2013 to share that the District received a Superior Score on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas.

The District maintains a fund balance; however, this is not synonymous with available funds. The state of Texas recommends that the District maintains up to three months of available operating expenses in the fund balance. Also calculated into this account is uncollected taxes and property held in trust, as well as required reserves for various insurance accounts.

The Board of Trustees recently reviewed the funds currently in the fund balance to determine what was available for current use. Out of the District’s current fund balance, $38M is held for future operating expenses and contingencies in accordance with state recommendations, $14M has been committed to the construction, furniture and fixtures for Elementary #15 (opening in Fall 2014), $3.1M for preconstruction of High School #3 and $1.1M for the preconstruction of the new Manvel Jr. High. Additionally the Board of Trustees has allocated $8.6M toward current bond projects such as technology and band instruments. A remaining district fund balance of *$11M remains to respond to any unanticipated expenses for our 22 schools.

(*TEA has indicated approximately $8M dollars must be returned for overpayment which will be accounted for in the 2012-2013 audit)

Rumor: Projects such as technology, band instruments and buses will be financed for 20 years.
Fact: Technology projects including network infrastructure and computers, as well as band instruments will be funded with the current fund balance or the current Maintenance and Operations budget. No bond funds will be used for these projects.

The Citizen’s Advisory Committee recommended the purchase of school buses totaling $5M. The District will use $2.2M from the current maintenance and operations budget to purchase buses with the remaining $2.8M provided through the bond election. The District utilizes bonds that will range from as short as 1 year to as long as 25 years depending on multiple variables.

Rumor: “Alvin ISD has been waiting to get a multi-million dollar district stadium for years, they are trying to sneak it in the back door and get over on voters” & “Alvin ISD Plans to build a stadium west of 288 and north of 518.”
Fact: Alvin ISD has shared a great deal of information about the project described as “land, design, & related costs for additional district athletic stadium, natatorium, & satellite transportation facility.” This project was a recommendation of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee and has been included on all Alvin ISD Bond publications including the District website (alvinisd.net/bond2013) as well as multiple newspaper ads.

Alvin Memorial Stadium is only able to accommodate 2,500 spectators on the visitor’s side and due to a lack of space has no room to expand. The District has been forced to turn parents and spectators away from games due to limited capacity. There are no plans to discontinue the use of Alvin Memorial Stadium. The acquisition of land will allow the District to plan for the future as the limitations become more evident.

This project along with all other recommended projects was included in a community phone survey that was conducted by Baselice, Inc. All projects included in the bond election received favorable community responses. The survey results for all projects are available on the Districts website under Bond FAQs.

The District has not identified a piece of land and it would be pre-mature to speculate a specific area as the project has not been approved by voters and speculation could inflate the cost of land. The District will make every effort to centralize the location within the 252 sq. mile district. There have been no discussions to place this district facility north of 518 as that would not provide equitable access to our students and their families.

Opinion: We do not need to move the Alvin High School Ag Farm at a cost of millions of dollars when we already have one.
Consideration: The growing Alvin High School Ag Program currently serves 400 students and has exceeded the capacity of the structure donated to Alvin ISD by the Godwin Family 30 years ago.

The facilities capacity limits additional animal projects with some animals already doubled up in pens. Transportation to the facility requires a 24 minute bus ride which uses nearly half of the student’s instructional class time. The facility does not include a covered show area and limits instructional space. The location of the current site is also utilized for oil production and has the associated equipment and has continual access by oil field personnel.

The Citizen’s Advisory Committee recommendation was to construct an Ag Facility that is equitable to the facility utilized by students at Manvel High School, with the addition of a district show arena that can be used for district contests as well as instruction. The recommendation was to place the facility closer to Alvin High School, as opposed to making a sizable investment at a location that provides continued limitations.

West Pearland High School goes to AISD voters

AISD in the news!

Construction of a proposed high school for west Pearland students zoned to Alvin Independent School District as well as other construction projects and campus upgrades hangs in the balance with voters set to decide the fate of a school bond proposal of roughly $212.4 million on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.

“Community members along the 288 corridor continue to ask when the tract of land at the intersection of 518 and Kirby will be turned into a high school to serve the Shadow Creek and surrounding areas,” said district spokesman Daniel Combs. “Alvin ISD purchased the 70 acre site across from the Pearland Town Center as part of the approved 2009 Alvin ISD Bond Election.”

If approved, construction would begin immediately with classes at the new school expected to begin at the start of the 2016-17 school year.

Otherwise, west Pearland students would continue commuting to Manvel High School, which officials say is already above enrollment capacity with more students expected next year.

“Students in the Shadow Creek and surrounding developments currently attend Manvel High School, which was constructed by Alvin ISD in 2006. The student enrollment at Manvel High School has already exceeded 2,500 student capacity and a third high school will accommodate the growth of Alvin ISD which is growing by more than 900 students a year,” Combs said.

The bond proposal totals approximately $212.6 million and includes campus security upgrades, a transportation substation, junior high and elementary school construction projects, land and design costs for a new athletic stadium and a new career and technical training high school among other things.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5 for voters who live in the Alvin ISD attendance zone. For voting times and locations and complete details on the bond proposal, visit www.alvinisd.net/bond2013 or call 281-245-2463.

Early Voting has begun!!

Early voting has begun on Oct 21st. It has been very encouraging to see all the folks at the polling stations. We need each and every one of you to go vote! Say Yes! An investment in schools is equivalent to an investment in your kids' education, in your property values and to your community as a whole! Please find an early voting location close to you and make your voice heard.

Letters to the editor - 4

Many of the citizens of Alvin have written letters to the editors of the local newspapers favoring the Alvin ISD Bond and encouraging everyone to vote in favor of this bond. We'll be publishing a few of them here, in case you missed them.

October 17, 2013

 

Dear Editor,

The voters in Alvin ISD should know the facts about the November 5 bond election, especially about the new junior high in Manvel. The combined student capacity at Manvel Jr. High at Rodeo Palms and Nolan Ryan Jr. High  is 2,000 students, but currently has 2,067 with a projection of 2,300 by 2015.  It is essential that this school be built because of the shortage of classroom seats and the educational hardship it will place on our kids if we don’t.

What are the facts about the decision to locate Manvel Junior High on McCoy Rd. and what is the traffic impact? Alvin ISD owns land just north of Manvel High School and after a two year search, which included collaboration and input from Manvel city officials, the site was chosen because it has the roads, public water and sewer, utilities, drainage and ground elevation above the flood plain. Roads and utilities are a necessity that is not readily available in all areas of Manvel. Since Alvin ISD owns the property it eliminates the need for additional money to buy new land. The most important reason though - this location is what’s best for kids! 

TxDOT owns and controls the light at the intersection of Hwy. 6 and McCoy Rd. and recently made adjustments to the traffic light’s timing and detection controls  to improve traffic cycles at peak school hours.  A professional traffic study for the school site on McCoy Rd. was commissioned by Alvin ISD to analyze traffic patterns, roadways, and assure that mobility standards are met. It included analyzing Manvel High School’s traffic as well.  The study revealed that peak traffic hours are 7:40 a.m. and 2:50 p.m. Afternoon traffic peak times last from 2:50 dismissal until “all clear” by 3:06, which is pretty quick for a high school with 2,500+ students and staff. It takes almost that long to turn east out of Manvel City Hall at 4:30 p.m.

Start and dismissal times for the new junior high are 8:40 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will occur an hour later than the high school start and dismissal times. With an hour difference in these times, peak traffic times will not stack or overlap.

The study provided recommendations for driveways, turn lanes, and  minor adjustments to public streets to facilitate the traffic on McCoy Rd. All the information in the traffic study was shared with the City Manager and City Engineer of Manvel. TxDOT and the Traffic Engineer concur that traffic management and traffic volumes from the schools on McCoy Rd meet or exceed acceptable guidelines.

The 2013 Citizen’s Advisory Committee and similar groups in 2009 and 2011, as well as the 2013 public survey, support building this junior high in Manvel. I think people should know the facts and be informed.  Distorting the facts only creates confusion.  An educated vote favors the well-being of our kids and community and supports the need to build this new junior high in Manvel.

 

Amy Roudbari

If bond election passes, when will High School #3 open?

This is a very popular question that a lot of people have asked in the run up to the Alvin ISD bond election on 05-Nov-2013: If the bond election is passed, when will High School #3 open?

Alvin ISD expects construction of High School #3 to begin immediately. The Alvin ISD Board of Trustees has already commissioned an architect firm to work on the design of the facility. If the construction proceeds according to plan, the projected opening of the school is the 2016-2017 school year.  This is based on the length of time it takes to construct a facility of this magnitude.  At the October Board Meeting, the Alvin ISD Board approved a construction manager at-risk for this project.

The two-year construction timeframe is very much in line with construction of similar high school facilities elsewhere in the country.

On a related topic, Manvel Junior High at Rodeo Palms currently serves Manvel as well as areas west of 288.  There is no other Junior High serving the Manvel Area. With the completion of a new Manvel Junior High, the current junior high at Rodeo Palms campus will become Rodeo Palms Junior High and it will provide a great deal of relief to Nolan Ryan Junior High. Construction would begin immediately for a projected opening date of 2015-2016 school year.

We hope all residents of Alvin ISD will support the bond election in this exciting time for the Alvin school district. Investment in schools and our children secures the future of the entire community and our society.

Letters to the editor - 3

Many of the citizens of Alvin have written letters to the editors of the local newspapers favoring the Alvin ISD Bond and encouraging everyone to vote in favor of this bond. We'll be publishing a few of them here, in case you missed them.

September  25, 2013

Dear Editor,

Alvin ISD, parts of which are on the west side of Pearland,  is one of the fastest growing school districts in the Houston area and has done a good job of keeping up with the growth over the last decade. We must help continue that trend so that overcrowding can be prevented, appropriate buildings and classrooms can be provided, travel distances between home and school can be limited, our investment in our school facilities can be protected and personal property values can be strengthened.  Investing in our schools is an investment in our community because appropriate and attractive school buildings are the centers of the community. They reflect our community’s values and they protect property values. They are an investment in our children, our community, and our future.

There are parts of Alvin ISD that are in the city limits of Pearland. Specifically, the Shadow Creek Ranch, Southern Trail and Pearland Town Center area where Alvin ISD has land designated for a third high school. A bond election will be held on November 5, 2013 that includes construction of the third Alvin ISD high school and much more. All of the projects will improve our children’s learning environments , equip our students for college and a competitive workplace with upgraded technology,  keep pace with the growth of our district by building new schools and protect our children with enhanced safety and security at all campuses. A complete list of all the projects can be founded at www.alvinisd.net.

Keeping up is much more cost-effective than catching up and keeping up with growth, something Alvin ISD has done extremely well, is much more cost-effective than the

alternative. Our school leaders would not be asking taxpayers for these funds if they weren’t critical to the long-term health of our schools. They’ve done their homework. Our school leaders are making the best decisions for students and taxpayers. We have good people running our school district who understand the need to stretch every tax dollar to its limit. Alvin ISD leaders, who are taxpayers themselves, are making the best decisions possible with our dollars. That’s why the state of Texas gives Alvin ISD a Superior Achievement Rating for fiscal responsibility.

So what is the  projected tax impact? The average homeowner will see an increase of no more than $11.22 a month and if you are 65 years of age or over, your taxes will not increase as a result of this bond election. The school tax rate and the amount paid are frozen when a taxpayer turns 65 years old, but you must request this status by contacting the Brazoria County Appraisal District  at http://www.brazoriacad.org or  call (979) 849-7792. I urge you to study the proposal and vote yes on November 5. Early voting starts October 21. To learn more, go to www.voteyesalvinisdbond.com.

Shirley Brothers

Letters to the editor - 2

Many of the citizens of Alvin have written letters to the editors of the local newspapers favoring the Alvin ISD Bond and encouraging everyone to vote in favor of this bond. We'll be publishing a few of them here, in case you missed them.

September 25, 2013

Dear Editor,

 Alvin ISD has a bond election coming up on November 5, 2013, with early voting starting on October 21. I hope you will join me in voting YES for this important bond issue. Many have asked “what if we do nothing?”  Based upon the current growth in student enrollment and the projections of more students coming, Alvin ISD will gain more that 3200 new students before new and/or additional facilities would be available if this bond issue is not passed this year. Each year that it is delayed, Alvin ISD is projected to add another 800 students (that is equivalent to an elementary school a year).  If the bond issue does not pass, prolonged use of temporary buildings will be necessary and their  use can be as much as $35,000 per unit. Building permanent classroom space keeps the district from spending money for the same space multiple times. Also if it does not pass, adjusting student attendance zones will become necessary as schools exceed their capacity, which requires additional bussing of students. Many campuses are already over capacity and more campuses will become overcrowded if the bond issue is not passed this year. Security concerns that can only be addressed with extensive facility and equipment improvements are best provided with bond funds, so not passing this bond issue limits what the district can do in terms of providing needed safety projects. A successful bond issue this year is the fastest way to address safety concerns which are priorities. Consider too, that if this bond issue does not pass, teachers will have limited resources to incorporate technology into instruction as they prepare our students for this digital society.  Providing additional facilities for Career and Technical (vocational) Education is critical and if the bond issue does not pass, course offerings and the district’s ability to offer industry skills and certification programs will be limited. With the resurgence of the construction industry and the potential increase in interest rates, facility costs will be impacted if the bond issue is not passed. It’s also very possible that class size and teacher-student ratios could be impacted if it does not pass. There are even more issues that are a stake if this bond issue does not pass, but I think you get the picture. This bond issue is critical to this community, to our school district, to our kids and to their future. Please join me in voting YES on November 5 (or at an early voting location beginning October 21). It’s what’s best for kids and what’s best for our community. 

David Becker

Letters to the editor - 1

Many of the citizens of Alvin have written letters to the editors of the local newspapers favoring the Alvin ISD Bond and encouraging everyone to vote in favor of this bond. We'll be publishing a few of them here, in case you missed them.

October 4, 2013

Dear Editor,

The Alvin Independent School District has almost 20,000 reasons for wanting the best educational programs and facilities – our children. Each of these 20,000 children these is our future and our most important investment. On November 5, 2013 voters in the Alvin ISD will consider a bond proposal designed to address the needs of our schools through new construction, expansion, and renovation.

            The district has seen dramatic increases in student enrollment in the past five years, causing severe overcrowding and the use of numerous portable buildings at almost every campus. The time has come to make improvements so that Alvin ISD can still provide the high-quality education for which it has long been noted. 

Approval of this bond issue is a win-win situation for the district.    The kids win - we win - and Alvin ISD can continue to sustain the outstanding reputation that we have long enjoyed. I am a proud product of Alvin ISD and wish for every child in Alvin ISD to have the same opportunity that I had. Please vote YES on Nov. 5 or during early voting which begins Oct. 21 and runs through Nov. 1.

Thanks,

Chad Gormly

                        

Community Bond Informational Meetings

A message from Dr. Fred Brent:

The school year is off to a great start. Alvin ISD began the first day of the 2013-2014 school year with 19,247 students, which is 1,032 students more than the first day of the 2012-2013 school year.  As of this past Friday, Alvin ISD’s student enrollment is at 19,704 students.

Since the  Board of Trustees called the November 5th Bond Election, we have been focused on sharing information with the community. To this point, we are about 1/3 of the way through the 84 Bond informational meetings that have been scheduled across the community. Community members are welcomed to attend any of the informational meetings we provide; however, a general community meeting has been scheduled to accommodate people in Alvin, Manvel and Pearland.  

Community Bond Informational Meetings:
1.       [Pearland] Nolan Ryan Jr. High –10/14 @ 6 p.m. - Cafeteria

2.       [Manvel] Manvel Jr. High @ Rodeo Palms – 10/21 @ 6 p.m. - Cafeteria

3.       [Alvin] Alvin High School – 10/24 @  6 p.m. - Auditorium

Please feel free to share these dates with any of your friends or neighbors that may have questions. If you know of a group that would like to hear about the bond, please contact Daniel Combs, DCombs@alvinisd.net and we will work to schedule a meeting. The District’s bond website continues to receive updates and additional information: http://www.alvinisd.net/bond2013

Reminder: October 7th is the deadline for voter registration prior  to the November 5th election.  Voter registration cards are available at all Alvin ISD schools as well as the Alvin ISD Administration Building.

Makes financial sense for high schoolers!

A lot of people have asked if it makes financial sense to vote for the Alvin ISD Bond Election. Let's analyze this from the perspective of a high school student required to travel from West Pearland to Manvel High vs Alvin High School #3 (right here in west Pearland).

Mileage Expenses (driving to Manvel High School):

Number of trips per day:	2
Distance (miles) per trip:	12
Distance (miles) per day:	24
Mileage of average car (mpg):	25
Gallons required per day:	0.96
Cost per gallon ($):	$   3.2
Cost per day ($):	$   3.0
Cost per month (20 days) for average student:	$   60

Incremental property taxes (with new Alvin High School #3):

Average value of property in west Pearland:	$   225k
Annual property tax increase due to Alvin ISD School Bond 2013: (11.22c per $100)	$   252

Break Even Point for a west Pearland student =  $  252 / $ 60   =   4.2 months

This means that in 4.2 months, the average student will recover the incremental property taxes by reducing his/her mileage expenses to/fro their home and school.

This does not even include other tangible benefits such as:

• Shorter drive time
• More time to study
• Newer facility with more resources available for students
• Better student/teacher ratios

For other families,

• For families with 2 children in high school, the break even point is 2.1 months 
• For a high school student that makes 2 trips to the school every day, the break even point is 2.1 months.

Register Now! Vote Yes for Alvin ISD bond election.

You cannot vote for the Bond election unless you have registered to Vote. Check if you are already registered at 'Am I registered?'

If you have not yet registered, you can find out more about how to register at: 'How to register?'

Early voting starts on Oct 21st and goes through until Nov 1st. Save yourself the hassle of standing in lines and get out there early to vote.

Why Vote Yes to the Alvin ISD bond?

Vote YES Alvin ISD Bond

The Vote 'YES' for Alvin ISD Bond 2013 website is also up and running! Please check it out and sign up to volunteer some time, make a donation and sign up for a yard sign.

You can make a difference by getting involved and making your voice heard. Speak to your neighbors and let them know how this is going to affect the community, its schools and your child's education.

Vote 'YES" Alvin ISD Bond

New Bond website launched!

For all of you that are interested in learning more about the upcoming Bond elections, Alvin ISD has launched a new website dedicated to the subject. Find all the information that you need regarding the bond, the projects, tax implications, etc on this website.

Alvin ISD 2013 Bond Information

Alvin ISD in the news!

The Pearland Journal had an article published today about the Alvin ISD trustees reviewing design plans for the proposed new high school on the west side of Pearland.

Trustees review new high school plans

These plans will come to fruition only if the voters go to the polls on November 5th and vote in favor of the bond. Early voting starts Monday, October 21 and ends November 1. Election Day is November 5. Citizens must be registered by October 7. Applications for voting by mail can be requested after September 6 and before October 25. For additional information, visit www.alvinisd.net or call (281)388-1130.

Register to Vote!

Register to vote and learn more about the upcoming Alvin ISD bond election at the SCR pools this labor day weekend! Special thanks to Monica Martinez Morgan - she has arranged to have the Deputy Voter Registrars to be at the Diamond Bay, Reflection Bay and Biscayne Bay Pools this Saturday from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. We will also have flyers with information about the upcoming bond election.

Alvin ISD Trustees call school bond election

In a 5-2 vote, Alvin ISD Trustees called a $212,445,000 school bond election at a special meeting of the Board on August 8. Board President Tiffany Wennerstrom and Vice President Regan Metoyer, along with Trustees Cheryl Harris, Charles McCauley and Nicole Tonini voted in favor of the election.  Mike Lansford and Sue Stringer voted to oppose the election.  Bond projects will include investments in new schools, technology, transportation, facility upgrades and enhanced security features for district campuses. The proposal will go before voters on November 5.

Contents of the school bond package were recommended by the Citizen’s Advisory Committee consisting of parents, local citizens, and school staff.   David Becker, CAC co-chair shared, “we worked long and hard for about six months to figure out the best options to address the fast growth that our school district is experiencing.”

The recommended package consists of funds designated for the District’s third high school campus, which will accommodate 2,500 students; a new elementary campus (number 16), which would hold 800 students; a replacement of Longfellow Elementary, land and design for elementary number 17 and 18; a new junior high school in the Manvel area, which would hold 1,000 students; renovation and expansion of Alvin Junior High; land for junior high number seven; design and related costs for a new Career and Technical Education Facility, and a new Godwin Ag Facility, which will increase opportunities for instructional access. Campus safety and security projects, such as securing entrances on select campuses, upgrading communication systems and surveillance cameras would also be funded by the project. Additional school buses will be purchased, technology enhanced, along with upgrades for mechanical, electrical, HVAC and other campus improvements. The bond will also allow for land and design of a facility that would accommodate an additional District athletic stadium, a satellite transportation facility, and a District Natatorium which will be located separately from high school #3.

“The Board chose to allocate $8.4 million from available fund balance and $3.46 million from current maintenance and operations funds to cover CAC recommended projects with shorter life expectancy such as band uniforms, buses and technology,” stated Tommy King, deputy superintendent of business.  $28,095,000 of authorized, yet unissued bond funds, available from the 2009 bond referendum will also be utilized to fund bond projects.

“Student enrollment has been steadily increasing in Alvin ISD and according to Templeton Demographics the District should expect to see a continued increase of approximately 800 students a year for the next five years,” said Dr. Fred Brent, superintendent of schools. “We are a dynamic learning organization committed to excellence for all students and every program, and we must prepare for the continued growth of our District; in order to ensure that the students of Alvin ISD continue to receive the best educational opportunities possible.”

The majority of the Trustees vocalized their support for the election during the special meeting.   All of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee recommendations are included in the bond projects and a community survey administered by an Austin based company in June also supported the bond projects.  “Now it is up to the voters,” said Tiffany Wennerstrom, president Alvin ISD Board of Trustees.

Additional information about the bond election is available on the Alvin ISD website. In addition, information will be distributed to taxpayers and presentations will be conducted throughout the community in the upcoming weeks. Early voting will be available beginning Monday, October 21 until November 1 at several locations throughout the District. Applications for voting by mail should be received after September 6 and before October 25. 

In order to vote in the 2013 school bond election, citizens must be registered to vote by October 7, as November 5 is Election Day. For additional information, visit www.alvinisd.net or call 281-388-1130.

CAC Recommendations

Alvin ISD Citizen's Advisory Committee makes recommendations of future bond projects to the Alvin ISD Board of Trustees, including a call for the construction of High School #3 in the Shadow Creek Ranch (Pearland) area.

In an effort to involve members of the community in planning for the future of Alvin ISD, a group of approximately 60 Alvin/Manvel/Pearland citizens, including parents, business leaders, District personnel, as well as a local councilman served on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC).

The CAC has worked diligently over the past seven months conducting intensive studies of historical demographic data, student enrollment, growth trends, facility needs, and development plans within the community. The purpose of the CAC was to evaluate the need for and the scope of a future bond referendum, and make recommendations for facilities that consider the educational needs of all students, provide a solution for facility needs brought on by the District’s growth, is fiscally sound, and reflects community wants and needs.

After receiving the results from the community phone survey that was recently conducted to obtain feedback from Alvin ISD citizens, the committee met on June 16 and determined that a recommendation in favor of a future bond referendum be made to the Board of Trustees.

The committee, who were charged by the Board of Trustees to establish recommended projected for facilities and land purchases, was led by co-chairs David Becker, Alvin High School parent, and Paul Ingamells, Shadow Creek Ranch resident and parent.  “Over the past five years, Alvin ISD enrollment has increased by an average of 800-900 students per year, and is projected to continue for the next five years. In 2011 the CAC recommended that the District not move forward with a bond referendum due to the economic climate, which in turn has increased the current needs of the District,” said Becker.

During the 2013-14 school year it is expected that six elementary campuses, Alvin Elementary, Hood-Case, Mason, Savannah Lakes, Stevenson and Wilder will exceed permanent building capacity. Three elementary campuses, Jeter, Marek, & Twain Elementary will exceed flex capacity. During the upcoming school year Alvin Junior High will exceed permanent building capacity, and Nolan Ryan Junior High will exceed both permanent and flex capacity. Manvel High School will also exceed permanent and flex capacity with continuing growth also anticipated.

Due to sustained growth, the CAC recommended that a new elementary (number 16) be built, that Longfellow Elementary be replaced, and that in light of rising land costs, the District prepare for continued growth by purchasing land and design for elementary number 17, and land for elementary number 18. The CAC also recommended that a new junior high school be built in the Manvel area, that Alvin Junior High School be renovated and expanded, and that the District purchase land for junior high number seven.

In addition the CAC also suggested that high school number three be built on the previously purchased land from the 2009 bond in the Pearland area, as well as provide funds for the design of a future Career and Technical Education Facility, along with the building of a new agriculture facility in closer proximity to Alvin High School. Other recommendations include funding for campus safety and security projects, additional school buses, technology needs, upgrades for campus and facility improvements, band instruments for all secondary campuses, and the purchasing of land and design for a future facility that would accommodate an additional District athletic stadium, satellite transportation facility and a District Natatorium (The current Manvel High School campus and future High School Number 3 campus do not have a varsity competition football stadium or natatorium.)

“We are truly appreciative of each of the citizens who came together to form the CAC, and provided the Board of Trustees with recommendations. I am confident that the CAC recommendations took into consideration the District’s increasing student population.  As a Board, we will carefully consider each of their recommendations,” said Tiffany Wennerstrom, Alvin ISD Board of Trustees president.

“On behalf of the CAC, we appreciate the Board for entrusting this committee of community members to conduct an in-depth study and bring recommendations to the Board,” mentioned Ingamells.

The final decision for a future bond referendum and the projects that it will contain is at the sole discretion of the AISD Board of Trustees. The Board will convene by August to determine if a November election will indeed be held. To stay informed of the most up-to-date information in regards to the growth of Alvin ISD, and a possible bond election visit www.alvinisd.net.

Citizen's Advisory Committee:  Report to Alvin ISD Board, June 24, 2013

Disclaimer:  these are not the formal minutes of the meeting - they are simply my personal notes from attending the meeting.  Hopefully, Alvin ISD will publish the full CAC report and minutes of the meeting soon.

I attended the meeting last night and listened to the CAC recommendations to the board.  In total, they are recommending that the board call a bond to be put to the voters this November.  Their recommendations include quite a few items, including new elementary and middle schools.  They are also recommending that a third high school be built and that is the focus of this post.  At the moment, the name for the high school is Alvin ISD High School #3 and it will be built on land already purchased at FM 518 and Kirby Drive.

The CAC studied demographic data that shows that Alvin ISD is adding 800-900 students per year and this growth will continue over the next 5 years.  The CAC also cited a survey of the Alvin ISD community that shows very favorable sentiment for their recommendations.

Design is currently underway for Alvin ISD HS #3, but it is not yet completed.  One interesting note is that the land for this school will not be sufficient for a varsity stadium or natatorium (the CAC is recommending that land be purchased for a district stadium and natatorium). The design process for the new high school will continue throughout the rest of this year - at first glance, it looks like it will be a wonderful high school for our district's students.

If the bond passes, the intent is to begin construction on the new high school in April/May of 2014.  The expected completion date is April of 2016 and the new high school will open for the 2016/2017 school year.

The Alvin ISD Board will vote either in July or August to call for a bond to be placed on the November ballot. Once the board votes to put a bond up for election, our work begins - we need to make sure that the Alvin ISD community is informed about the need for the bond and work as a community to ensure a very high pro-bond voter turnout.

This is very exciting news for our community and our district!

Citizen Advisory Committee Presentation

From Geoffrey Tonini:

This Monday (6/24/2013) the co-chairs of the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) will present to the board, strong recommendations of various projects that need to be approved (via bond) this year and completed within the next five years in order to keep  up with the population growth of the district. Update existing facilities and to update the technical/IT infrastructure in order to maximize the success rate of all AISD students as they graduate and enter into this ever-increasingly more complex workplace. The purpose of this presentation is to request that the Board approve moving forward with the request for a bond that would be up for vote in November of this year.

You are encouraged to attend the meeting in person at 301 E. House St, 77511. 

We encourage all of you to become more knowledgeable about the district and thank you for your future support in favor of the bond, if the board moves forward with the request.

Alvin ISD Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) June 2013 schedule

This is the schedule for the month of June 2013. Please mark the dates in your calendar.

09-Jun-2013
CAC telephone survey starts and will continue until 300 full surveys are completed.

17-Jun-2013
CAC finalizes recommendations and presents final recommendations to Alvin ISD Board.

24-Jun-2013
Alvin ISD announces the CAC recommendations to the public at 7:00pm

Templeton Demographi​c Report April 2013

Here is the much awaited Templeton Demographic Report that came out in April 2013

Alvin ISD Enrollment Forecast Spring (April 2013)

Alvin ISD to Conduct Community Phone Survey

From: Daniel Combs – dcombs@alvinisd.net
Date: May 28, 2013
Subject: Alvin ISD to Conduct Community Phone Survey

The Alvin Independent School District will conduct a week of community phone surveys, beginning on June 2. Community members may receive phone calls between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. from a telephone number with a pre-fix “281-292.”   

The phone survey is part of the Alvin ISD Citizen’s Advisory Committee process.  The Committee, which has been meeting monthly since December 2012, is comprised of parents and community members representing all areas of the District. Alvin ISD Board of Trustees charged the Citizen’s Advisory Committee with conducting extensive studies of current facilities, educational programs, student growth trends, and providing the Board with facility recommendations upon completing the studies this summer.  

“The phone survey will allow the CAC and Board of Trustees to obtain opinions and insight directly from our stakeholders, in an effort to determine the priorities of individuals who live in Alvin ISD communities,” said Dr. Fred Brent, superintendent of schools. “It is a great opportunity for us to involve community members in the decision making process.” 

According to Demographer Bob Templeton, “Alvin ISD is growing by approximately 850 students a year and we expect to see this growth continue into the foreseeable future.”
With this in mind, it is essential that the School District continue planning for the future.    

Following the conclusion of the phone surveys, all information will be compiled, and the CAC will submit a recommendation to the Board of Trustees in regards to the need of a future Alvin ISD Bond Referendum.

“We are extremely grateful to the men and women that have participated in the Citizen’s Advisory Committee process. They have taken considerable time away from their families and personal lives to serve the community and the nearly 19,000 students in Alvin ISD. Their dedication will doubtless enable Alvin ISD to better serve our growing student population for years to come,” added Brent. 

 
Alvin ISD encourages everyone that receives a telephone survey to please give a few minutes as your opinion is important.

Congratulations to Nicole Tonini on her election to the Alvin ISD Board of Trustees!  It is my understanding that the Citizen Advisory Committee will present their recommendations to the Alvin ISD Board on Monday, June 24th at 6:00 p.m. at the Alvin Administration Building.  It is expected that they will recommend that a bond be on the ballot this November and the bond will include the building of a SCR high school.  This meeting is open to the public, so it would be great for us to show our support for a SCR high school!

Why Nicole Tonini for Alvin ISD Board of Trustees?

Here are some of the reasons why you need to vote for Nicole Tonini on Saturday (11-May-2013) as expressed eloquently by one of our neighbors (Elena K. Heaton):
• We need representation on the board. The Manvel side represents 50% of the student population, an estimated 50% of the tax base and 80% of the growth, yet we have no representation on the Board. Nicole lives in Shadow Creek. Her kids go to Manvel High School, Nolan Ryan and Mary Marek. She is our neighbor!
• We need an "involved mother". Someone who has a working relationship with the City Council and a strong relationship with the teachers and parents from her years of community and school involvement.
• We need a non-partisan board. We need Trustees who will put the students, community, tax-payers and teachers first and not be worried about their Party
• We need people who are transparent with their campaign finances. We need people who show who will openly show their sources of revenue and expenses and who comply with the State Ethic’s finance requirements
• We need people who are willing to SPEND TIME with all of the constituents and not just those from their neighborhood.
• We need people who will also care about the students and not just about lowering the tax rate (which by the way is the second lowest in the region)

Think about the few events that will be happening shortly and who we need representing us:
• When the new bond (which includes the SCR high school) is being prepared and packaged this summer to be voted on in November, don’t you want someone from the west side to have an input into the process? Who will best understand your needs as citizens – someone who has worked with you and in the schools and with the students for the past ten years or someone who just visits the west side during election time?
• When new school boundaries are being decided for elementary school 15, wouldn't you like to have someone from this side of the district on the Board to help make those decisions?

Please vote Nicole Tonini.

Vote for Nicole Tonini

Only one last day to cast your vote and let your voice be heard!  Election Day, for the Alvin ISD School Board Election, is tomorrow!   Elected officials at the national, state and local level have a significant impact establishing the direction of public education.   We encourage all of our parents and community members to be involved in the civic process by casting your ballot for School Board Trustees.

During early voting, precincts in Alvin ISD received 2,563 votes, with 1,388 coming from Alvin proper, 256 from Manvel, and 919 from the Alvin ISD portion of Pearland.  Please help represent your school and let your voice be heard!  There's only one more chance to vote:

Mary Marek will be a voting location this weekend, on Saturday, Election Day: May 11, 2013.

Click here for Election Day Polling Places:
http://brazoriacountyclerk.net/recorder/content/Elections/PollingPlaces.htm


To put things in perspective - the west side (ie those who are zoned to Manvel High School) of this district represents 80% of the growth. We represent OVER 50% of the student population and it is projected that we represent over 50% of the tax base. But last year we only represented 1/3rd of the voters in the School Board elections. As a result, we have no representation on the School Board. We need a voice - we need your vote - we need the vote of your neighbor - of your spouse!

Please vote for Nicole Tonini.

Turning up the election heat: local politics generating big buzz

Article in The Pearland Journal

High School for Pearland Westside

We've all seen the signs on FM-518. But Shadow Creek residents must be represented on the Alvin ISD school board to better promote our interests and assure our new high school project remains on track. Manvel High School provides an excellent education but our kids do not live in Manvel. Whether you have kids or not, a new high school for Shadow Creek may lift all our property values and provide us a more flourishing community.

Nicole Tonini, the only Shadow Creeker running for an Alvin ISD board position, lost by only two votes last year.

Please vote for Nicole Tonini and make your voice heard!