Barton Hills Elementary closing???? Can't be!

[jobert]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

There will be a new SW HS at some point in the near future.

You're sure about that..with the budget shortfall? I think AISD is rigging up the smoke-and-mirrors to get through the next 2 years, maybe more. I'd like an elementary school for Far SE Austin while we're at it.

[Trainwreck20]

Near is a relative term .

The problem is the drifting demographics in any given area - currently, some central areas have a low child/sq.mile density, or at least lower than they have been in the past. The outlying areas have an increase c/s-m density. The only problem is, schools don't drift. The city council is working at getting families to move to more central areas, and you need good schools to accomplish that, so closing them works counter to the cities stated goals. But how do you bridge the time gap or current reality?

It is pretty clear that in an expense-free world, a new HS would get built somewhere SW. But AISD has a long lead time on these things, and if they were going to build a new one within about 4 years, they would have to start right now, and that ain't gonna happen.

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Near is a relative term .

The problem is the drifting demographics in any given area - currently, some central areas have a low child/sq.mile density, or at least lower than they have been in the past. The outlying areas have an increase c/s-m density. The only problem is, schools don't drift. The city council is working at getting families to move to more central areas, and you need good schools to accomplish that, so closing them works counter to the cities stated goals. But how do you bridge the time gap or current reality?

It is pretty clear that in an expense-free world, a new HS would get built somewhere SW. But AISD has a long lead time on these things, and if they were going to build a new one within about 4 years, they would have to start right now, and that ain't gonna happen.

The population growth bubble in SW Austin no doubt could be a consideraton as to why the school board decided to act now to 'fix' AISD's budget shortfall - outstanding since 2007. Part of the money for the new SW and S schools could be raised with the cost savings from the closures and consolidations. Do not be surprised if (in late 2011 or sometime in 2012), an new AISD school bond is proposed to partially pay for the new buildings.

[centralaustinite]

I don't have the energy to drag myself through AISD data on the web, but I think that the land is already purchased? Bond issue passed? There is definitely a long, long lead time for HS construction and I think that process is underway but probably not set in stone but I think that they are 5-7 years in.

I'm definitely the wrong person to ask, I don't even really know where Circle C is, my Austin pretty much ends at the intersection of Mopac and Ben White.

I've heard that there are plans to build a new 800 student capacity elementary in close in south-central Austin to replace Pease, Matthews, THE, Zilker, BH, Dawson and Becker! (task force meeting notes #8, I think )

[Trainwreck20]

No land has been bought and no money has been appropriated for a new SW HS.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

No land has been bought and no money has been appropriated for a new SW HS.

for real? wow! I thought it was "in process" Some folk talk about a the new SW high school like it will be open soon!

well as I said, I barely know where that part of Austin even is!

[Trainwreck20]

We kind of follow developments, 'cause our toddlers might see it . They could use some existing owned land, but my understanding is that none of it is in the right location for a new HS to be built. The new middle school was just completed, and despite all the issues with HS overcrowding, a new elementary might have to take priority over a HS.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

We kind of follow developments, 'cause our toddlers might see it . They could use some existing owned land, but my understanding is that none of it is in the right location for a new HS to be built. The new middle school was just completed, and despite all the issues with HS overcrowding, a new elementary might have to take priority over a HS.

I really do feel for the parents at Z/BH, but the people in that area have enjoyed the RE gravy train over the last 20 years. Barton Hills property values have risen 428% since 1990, meanwhile other established expensive neighborhoods dating back to the 60's such as Onion Creek have languished and seen their property values stagnate over the last two decades because they have not been given the consideration by AISD that places such as Z/BH have been given. We live 5 miles away from our elementary school which is located in a bad part of town. Where is our justice? My advice to the homeowners of the Z/BH area: sell you house if you don't like it, pocket the $300K profit, and move along. Before you say "but we pay taxes for it" guess what? You don't pay any more taxes than the people of Onion Creek do... and you don't have to suffer insult upon injury by having to send your kids to private school as the majority of Onion Creek parents feel like they have to do.

If anything comes of this, I hope they free up enough funds to build a new elementary school for the Onion Creek area, maybe then justice will be finally be served after 30 years of neglect by the COA and AISD.

Have a good day.

[hoffdano]

I don't know about land purchases, but no bond has been passed for a new AISD HS. A new high school sized for 3000 students is likely to cost at least $100M, depending one what other facilities (gym, auditorium, etc.) are placed on the campus.

A school district will never set aside existing funds collected from the M&O portion of property taxes for a future school. Construction of new facilities will always be done through bond funds.

[DrLinda]

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