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Before saying anything about this stadium I need to know how much revenue is this stadium going to generate. Allen has a very large high school and a loyal followering. One has to ask how much money is that stadium going to bring the school district.
It's interesting how these bond elections always seem to pass. Why are people so eager to vote for tax increases for themselves?? I always vote no on bond elections, unless it's something I feel is a necessity like public safety.
then I am glad you live in Cypress--
having a policy that does not allow you to understand the issues under consideration and chose YES or NO based on the purpose and value provided just means that you have no choice--if you always choose NO
It's interesting how these bond elections always seem to pass. Why are people so eager to vote for tax increases for themselves?? I always vote no on bond elections, unless it's something I feel is a necessity like public safety.
They pass because smart residents understand that highly desirable public schools = rising property values. Highly desirable public schools have state-of-the art technology and infrastructure, as well as classrooms & buildings that can accomodate swelling student populations.
The 2009 Allen ISD bond proposal not only included the stadium, but also:
-2 new elementary schools
-major expansions to 2 middle schools and 6 elementary schools
-45 school busses
Other recent DFW area bond elections have enable districts to:
-HPISD added 38 new classrooms to elementary schools, 18 classrooms to the middle schools
-HPISD added 2 state-of-the-art science labs to the high school
-HPISD upgraded HVAC, replaced roofs, and upgraded network infrastructure at all 7 district campuses (average school building being 60+ years old).
-HPISD upgraded & renovated high school TV lab
-Dallas ISD voted to build 15 new schools (8 elem, 4 middle, 4 high school)
-Dallas ISD voted to add 177 classrooms to 12 existing schools
-Dallas ISD voted to renovated nearly 200 schools (many of which are 50-100 years old)
-Dallas ISD voted to build 19 new science labs
-Dallas ISD voted to provide classroom & lab computers and classroom presentation devices
-Dallas ISD voted to renovate kitchens at 16 schools (remember, many DISD students eat the majority of their meals at school since their families are so poor).
-Richardson ISD upgraded network infrastructure and achieved major progress in the district's Strategic Technology plan
-Richardson ISD renovated all 1960's-era campuses which had not been previously remodeled
-Richardson ISD completed major HVAC & roofing repairs
I really don't understand why you would vote "no"? Do you want your neighborhood schools to become dilapidated old lean-to's with no AC and 1980's era computers? Aren't we supposed to equip our children with the best tools to prepare them for success in college & their careers?
They pass because smart residents understand that highly desirable public schools = rising property values. Highly desirable public schools have state-of-the art technology and infrastructure, as well as classrooms & buildings that can accomodate swelling student populations.
The 2009 Allen ISD bond proposal not only included the stadium, but also:
-2 new elementary schools
-major expansions to 2 middle schools and 6 elementary schools
-45 school busses
Other recent DFW area bond elections have enable districts to:
-HPISD added 38 new classrooms to elementary schools, 18 classrooms to the middle schools
-HPISD added 2 state-of-the-art science labs to the high school
-HPISD upgraded HVAC, replaced roofs, and upgraded network infrastructure at all 7 district campuses (average school building being 60+ years old).
-HPISD upgraded & renovated high school TV lab
-Dallas ISD voted to build 15 new schools (8 elem, 4 middle, 4 high school)
-Dallas ISD voted to add 177 classrooms to 12 existing schools
-Dallas ISD voted to renovated nearly 200 schools (many of which are 50-100 years old)
-Dallas ISD voted to build 19 new science labs
-Dallas ISD voted to provide classroom & lab computers and classroom presentation devices
-Dallas ISD voted to renovate kitchens at 16 schools (remember, many DISD students eat the majority of their meals at school since their families are so poor).
-Richardson ISD upgraded network infrastructure and achieved major progress in the district's Strategic Technology plan
-Richardson ISD renovated all 1960's-era campuses which had not been previously remodeled
-Richardson ISD completed major HVAC & roofing repairs
I really don't understand why you would vote "no"? Do you want your neighborhood schools to become dilapidated old lean-to's with no AC and 1980's era computers? Aren't we supposed to equip our children with the best tools to prepare them for success in college & their careers?
I say this with all due respect, but an obscenely huge football stadium makes schools "highly desirable" in Texas? For who? The same people that have mixed up priorities as the people who bonded a Football stadium? I still don't hear a strong enough argument for spending millions on a high school stadium rather than reducing class sizes or paying teachers more $$. Last I checked the knock on Allen was the size of the high school and the fact there is only one. And there are towns with much less much population than Allen, with TWO high schools serving the area. Overall, I would think on the list of priorities having smaller classroom sizes is better way to address the quality of education.
And although I agree that property values are directly related to the quality education provided, which drives demand for the town etc, I think it's a little nutty that the majority of the voting base would vote based on that logic. Quite honestly, if my kid didn't play football and I lived in Allen, I would be miffed over this kind of spending. Simply put, it's over the top, and there is no justification for allocating taxpayer money this way. The spending on actual education should ALWAYS be greater than spending on Athletics.
I say this with all due respect, but an obscenely huge football stadium makes schools "highly desirable" in Texas? For who? The same people that have mixed up priorities as the people who bonded a Football stadium? I still don't hear a strong enough argument for spending millions on a high school stadium rather than reducing class sizes or paying teachers more $$. Last I checked the knock on Allen was the size of the high school and the fact there is only one. And there are towns with much less much population than Allen, with TWO high schools serving the area. Overall, I would think on the list of priorities having smaller classroom sizes is better way to address the quality of education.
And although I agree that property values are directly related to the quality education provided, which drives demand for the town etc, I think it's a little nutty that the majority of the voting base would vote based on that logic. Quite honestly, if my kid didn't play football and I lived in Allen, I would be miffed over this kind of spending. Simply put, it's over the top, and there is no justification for allocating taxpayer money this way. The spending on actual education should ALWAYS be greater than spending on Athletics.
Based on what I can find on Allen ISD's website regarding finances, the district clearly DOES spend more on education than athletics. The 2009 bond election was 50% stadium and 50% other educational/infrastructure upgrades.
Please remember that football isn't the only sport using the stadium- boys & girls soccer, band, drill team, hockey, lacrosse, etc also practice and play on the field and wrestling and golf have indoor practice facilites at the new stadium, and the new weight room will be used by all student athletes.
Allen ISD's 2009-2010 $130M budget (this year's isn't on the web) was split out as follows:
60% Salaries
14% Maintenance
6% School Administration
3% Guidance & Counseling
3% General Administration 2% Co-Curriculars
1% Instructional Resources
1% Curriculum & Staff Development
< 1% each: Health Services, Security, Technology, Juvi Justice AEP, & Tax Appraisal/ Collection
Athletics is lumped in to the 2%, along with every other co-curricular (drama, band, orchestra, fine arts, choir, etc). I hardly call that an exhorbidant amount of spending on athletics!!
Highland Park ISD spends a bit more on co-curriculars as a percentage of total budget @ 3%. Allen does not breakdown the local revenues into buckets, but HPISD does. Athletic revenues into HPISD are as follows: $450k gate receipts (tickets & apparel) and $320k ACE fee (mandatory fee per student athlete). That $770k is the 3rd largest source of revenue for the district behind property taxes ($105M) and gifts ($2.6M), so athletics- particularly football- does produce revenue. The athletics revenue at HPISD supports 40% of the ENTIRE co-curricular budget.....which inludes many non-athletic activities. Athletics is definitely one category that gives back.
Regarding Allen specifically, having great athletic facilities IS something that makes the district desirable to many families. Rivalshigh.com consistently ranks Allen's football team in the top 100 and Allen won the Texas 5A championship in 2008 with ESPN naming the team #2 in the US. Allen Girls Golf has recently won 2 state championships. Wrestling has also recently won the 5A dual tournament. Varsity boys hockey has won two state championships in the past 5 years. 5 different Allen HS athletic teams won state in the 2008-2009 school year.
Skids, you are not in Texas yet, but you need to understand the important role that athletics plays in many Texas high school students earning college admissions & college scholarships. In last year's graduating class, 30 student athletes signed NCAA intent letters. IMO, it's as important to nurture their shot at going to college or going to a better college by providing athletic opportunities as it is for schools to nuture the future doctors with updated science labs, the future Mark Zukerburg's with updated network technology, etc.
It's interesting how these bond elections always seem to pass. Why are people so eager to vote for tax increases for themselves?? I always vote no on bond elections, unless it's something I feel is a necessity like public safety.
Did you know that homes in the Highland Park ISD have the lowest property tax rates around. Coppell is not too far behind either. Both have exceptional schools with the latest technology available to all students. Why? Because their voters never say "NO" to improving their schools.
Those few dollars a year to have a great school system and students in your district that can achieve any thing their hearts desires doesn't cost more than a few extra Starbucks a year. I'd rather spend a few dollars on helping each child get a quality education to better themselves and the world than to spend it on something meaningless like a Starbucks or a new pair of shoes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluescreen73
Was the stadium financing packaged into its own separate vote or was it a poison pill thrown in with the other infrastructure upgrades?
It was it's own item. It was heavily endorsed and approved all on it's own two feet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigDGeek
I voted yes on Richardson's most recent bond package.
When it comes to education and improving our quality of life.......... why would anyone in their right mind vote against it????
I am all for athletics, band, drillteam etc. It involves a lot of kids who may not be interested in other things and because they have to keep up their grades to participate, they do better than they might otherwise.
Yes, this stadium may be a bit excessive - DISD also built a stadium that was too big and too far out (but not on this scale).
I have always supported bond issues, such as the one in 2008. DISD was clever in making sure the most community-involved area got some goodies ($14 million high school addition, $6 million middle school renovation, $22 million new elementary etc) so the Lakewood vote put over the whole $1.3 billion issue despite some organized opposition.
We break ground on the high school Fine Arts/Science addition on May 24 - so we will probably be catching some flack also...
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