vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2631
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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03-10-09 03:26 PM - Post#80151
Press Release:
http://www.allenisd.org/aisdweb.nsf/Content/NR0310...
Website Info:
http://www.allenisd.org/web/Bond-Election-08/ BondE...
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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RRRquilter
enthusiast
Posts: 1243
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-02-05
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03-10-09 03:33 PM - Post#80153
In response to vrs
Unfortunately, this is probably the worst time for this election. People are going to be more conservative when it comes to spending monies for these projects.
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Robin L
enthusiast
Posts: 826
Reg: 12-19-07
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03-10-09 03:57 PM - Post#80156
In response to RRRquilter
I agree and disagree. I agree it is a tough economic time for all and many are disillusioned w/the bailouts. But most Allenites have known about this 2nd bond since before the November election and either had a decision for or against made. Most, if not all, projects this bond will cover are needed. Our children need the improvements no matter how much they cost. We choose to build our lives, our families, in Allen. The children need our support in the educational environment more now than ever, in a time when a simple high school diploma is not enough, when even a Bachelor's degree barely gets you in the door to a job. Does a new stadium cover getting an education? It depends...it may when children are needing to list extra curricular activities on college entrance applications, and even to develop team spirit. I'll be voting for it.
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RRRquilter
enthusiast
Posts: 1243
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-02-05
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03-10-09 06:05 PM - Post#80166
In response to Robin L
Oh, I agree. The bond is needed, I just wonder the chance of it passing with everyone tightening up their belts.
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sco
enthusiast
Posts: 2668
Loc: allen,TX USA
Reg: 10-26-02
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03-10-09 06:36 PM - Post#80170
In response to RRRquilter
If the bond passes it will make a difference of 2 cents on the tax rate. I think most people will see that these are needed projects and the tax rate is justified.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1347
Reg: 02-20-08
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03-11-09 08:02 AM - Post#80196
In response to sco
Hopefully the risk premium on Muni and school district bonds will come down.
Edited by DrivinTooFast on 03-11-09 08:02 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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gaylonlee
enthusiast
Posts: 154
Reg: 03-06-06
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03-11-09 11:14 AM - Post#80224
In response to DrivinTooFast
$40 additional per year for a $200k house, spread out over 12 months. It's a no-brainer.
Those that are worried about the inclusions and costs of each project, do your part and fully discuss them during the process, then get behind the community and support our school system.
I'll volunteer to "sponsor" a former negative voter whose only objection is cost at $3.33 per month. Who's with me? 
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1135
Reg: 09-07-03
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03-11-09 12:56 PM - Post#80233
In response to gaylonlee
It's not just $3.33 per month. It's also lost opportunity for other programs that could have a longer lasting impact on student's lives than a fancy new football stadium.
In the end I'm likely to vote for all items in this bond election because they will make the community a more attractive place to live and this will add value to my property. But it's not a no brainer for me.
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2631
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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03-11-09 01:21 PM - Post#80234
In response to SB
I agree with you it is not a "no-brainer." I would point out, though, that the stadium will serve other programs - wrestling, golf, soccer, and band - as well as providing a venue for community events.
Also, birdwalking for a moment into school finance, the tax rate has two parts - debt and operations. On the debt service side of the rate, the district gets full value for its property values. On the maintenance side of the rate, the dollars per student are capped at a state formula level. So as appraised values go up. we get less from the state and the total dollars we have to put in the classroom (per student) is stagnant until/unless the legislature helps us out.
Right now we are spending $225,000 at Eagle Stadium to maintain all that temporary capacity. When the new stadium is constructed, that expense goes away and the money is freed up for operational expenses all the way across the district.
So yes, we can live without a new stadium, no question. And times are tough, no question.
But I think it is a good thing to build it. These projects are not going to get cheaper and the positive impact (both direct and indirect) will be much broader than just the football program.
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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gaylonlee
enthusiast
Posts: 154
Reg: 03-06-06
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03-11-09 01:37 PM - Post#80236
In response to SB
You are right, my mistake. It is $3.34. I'm against it.
But seriously, if you feel it's such a lost opportunity, why would you vote for it in the end? You should vigorously campaign against it. Seems selfish to take your property value and community attractiveness over the fate of more-deserving programs suffering.
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sco
enthusiast
Posts: 2668
Loc: allen,TX USA
Reg: 10-26-02
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03-11-09 02:47 PM - Post#80243
In response to SB
It's not just $3.33 per month. It's also lost opportunity for other programs that could have a longer lasting impact on student's lives than a fancy new football stadium.
Whether the projects on the ballot are the best use of funds is a valid question. Personally I think that they are and I took some convincing to get to this point. Just for the sake of clarity I would note that bond money can only be spent on things not programs. The money for programs has to come out of the maintenance and operations money. The district could use bond money to build something other than a stadium and auditorium but they can't use it for things like hiring teachers or adding specialized classes.
Edited by sco on 03-11-09 02:47 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1135
Reg: 09-07-03
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03-11-09 03:57 PM - Post#80254
In response to gaylonlee
But seriously, if you feel it's such a lost opportunity, why would you vote for it in the end? You should vigorously campaign against it. Seems selfish to take your property value and community attractiveness over the fate of more-deserving programs suffering.
Because I also have to judge if other programs which I might prefer receiving additional funds have any chance of receiving those funds. The overwhelming likelihood is that they do not. And, as stated, the proposed bond programs do offer value to me personally and to the community. Sure it's selfish but so what? I am very involved in community affairs but every issue isn't mine to crusade on and I set limits and reserve time for myself too.
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readingu
enthusiast
Posts: 705
Reg: 02-08-04
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03-11-09 06:39 PM - Post#80270
In response to vrs
Love the way the stadium is included in a bond that may have some credit. Education is for learning. Period. Count me out. Some of us are retired. We pay the same as some of you, because it's the law. We have to pay for your kids to read and hopefully appreciate a free education. But I can sure voice my opinion that a 60 million dollar football stadium is a joke just like a lot of what is going on. A shame that this monument to almighty football can't stand alone.
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LoveAllen
member
Posts: 52
Reg: 07-29-07
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03-11-09 07:05 PM - Post#80272
In response to readingu
I am totally Not for this. Overall it would be better to spend the money and build another High school and hire more teachers and better our youths education. This to me is not thinking ahead for what this town really needs. We have over 5,000 home school families in Allen, if one day they all changed their mind and wanted to attend public school, where would they all go??????????
Edited by LoveAllen on 03-11-09 07:07 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5538
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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03-11-09 08:34 PM - Post#80285
In response to LoveAllen
Overall it would be better to spend the money and build another High school and hire more teachers and better our youths education.
But we don't get to vote on that. 
Regarding the stadium ... it's painfully obvious that we do need one. This town has outgrown that little thing. Honestly though, I'd like to see it on it's own and not ganged up with other items in one bond. And the plans need to be made available to the public (I'm guessing they will be?) so that we can see exactly what it is we're voting for.
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2631
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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03-11-09 09:36 PM - Post#80295
In response to readingu
Some of us are retired. We pay the same as some of you, because it's the law. We have to pay for your kids to read and hopefully appreciate a free education.
I understand that many will share your sentiments. These projects have been separated from the instructional facilities that were on the ballot last November to grant you some authentic choice. Because we are talking stadium here, but one could make the same point about the auditorium.
That being said, and just for the record, my baby graduated five years ago so I don't have kids in the schools any more either - except that I have always considered all of them to be mine.
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2631
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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03-11-09 09:42 PM - Post#80296
In response to LoveAllen
We have over 5,000 home school families in Allen
That's an interesting statistic - and not just 5000 students, but 5000 families. So one in four kiddos in Allen are home schooled. What is your source for that information?
 
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2631
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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03-11-09 10:41 PM - Post#80297
In response to Al C
And the plans need to be made available to the public (I'm guessing they will be?) so that we can see exactly what it is we're voting for.
We had to ditch the luxury sky boxes for trustees. And I kept saying that we really did not need hot and cold running water for the visitor locker room. I also suggested that they use bright blue plastic stall dividers in the visitor restrooms so folks would feel more at home with the porta-potties gone.
Seriously, I imagine they will be on the website. It is actually pretty simple - just big.
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5538
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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03-12-09 08:08 AM - Post#80311
In response to vrs
We had to ditch the luxury sky boxes for trustees. And I kept saying that we really did not need hot and cold running water for the visitor locker room. I also suggested that they use bright blue plastic stall dividers in the visitor restrooms so folks would feel more at home with the porta-potties gone.
Seriously, I imagine they will be on the website. It is actually pretty simple - just big.
Good ... looking forward to seeing them. Thanks.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1347
Reg: 02-20-08
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03-12-09 01:11 PM - Post#80331
In response to Al C
I wonder if everyone will consider the new stadium a "luxury" when the temporary stands at Eagle Stadium held up with 2x4s in mud can't hold up.
I cringe every time I see the temp stands filled up with kids and we score a TD.
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