Voters in the Round Rock (Texas) school district have rejected three separate bond proposals totaling $572 million.
Proposition 1 sought $381.7 million and would have provided funds to build the district's sixth high school and 35th elementary school as well as other facility improvements. It was rejected by 52 percent of voters.
Proposition 2 sought $133.6 million and would have paid for a districtwide career tech high school and other facility expansions. About 53 percent voted no.
Proposition 3 sought $56.8 Million and would have paid for arts and athletic facility upgrades, including an indoor aquatic center, and an additional outdoor athletic facility. It was rejected by 57 percent of the voters.
“This really sends a clear message,” says Patrick McGuinness, a member of the Round Rock Parents and Taxpayers, which opposed the referendum. “It was bad for the taxpayers, but it was also bad for the students and the schools. It didn’t address students’ needs.”
District spokesman Corey Ryan says the bond package would have provided funding for infrastructure maintenance and aging technology.
“Those are pretty big needs we’ll need to find a way to fund really soon,” he said.
Round Rock has about 48,000 students.
