For the past 5 months the ISD has provided a multitude of articles about the District facilities. Additionally, the ISD has secured alternative funding opportunities to support the facility needs that will lessen the cost to the taxpayer. This was accomplished through being awarded the Qualified School Construction Bonds. This week before election day, I hope you find yourself with all the information you need to make an informed vote. In the mail last week, the San Saba County Appraisal District sent out the Notice of Appraised Value. Along with this document from the SSCAD, the previous articles and the proposed tax rate, as tax payers you can calculate your taxes for the coming year and make an informed decision when you vote. As well, I hope that the other school news that is in the paper week after week illustrates that San Saba ISD is strong, we are vibrant, competitive academically and in all extracurriculars. We have amazing kids who are headed for greatness in this school system and we have the staff who can help them achieve their goals. I hope that you can look at SSISD and say that we have made this community proud.

Just as a reminder, let’s go over the basic bond facts one last time….The current tax rate for operations is $1.04 rate, and we have a 1998 bond that is paying for the construction of the middle school; the proposed bond would add $0.234 cents to the rate. The total combined rate would be $1.364; of this figure $.09 cents pays for the middle school that was built in 1998 and $.234 would pay for the construction of an elementary school, renovation of the red gym for a band hall and the construction of high school science labs. Remember, this combined rate is higher than the rate of $1.55 when the state legislature changed the property tax law in 2005.

The projects that are under consideration with this current bond election include: Elementary school – The building will be built to hold 350 students for grades PK – 4

th . It will be approximately 32,195 square feet and it is estimated from the architect and in consultation with a builder that it will cost $5,193,868 but this figure does not include furniture or technology. High School Science Labs – 3 teachers would share a common storage and prep space and each would have a combination lab and classroom space. The facility would be approximately 6032 square feet and cost $1,500,000. The repair and renovation of the Red Gym for a band hall would cost $483, 632, Also, budgeted is Furniture and technology for the amount of $322,500. If you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me at San Saba ISD, 325/372-3771.