Dear Editor:
Early voting for the SSISD bond starts this week and runs through May 3rd. Election day is May 7th. The bond is for $18M to build a band hall and multipurpose activity center. The district can do this with no increase in the effective tax rate (you will see ‘This is a Tax Increase’ on the ballot. This language is mandated by state law, whether the bond increases taxes or not). A few details on the facilities:
• The new band hall would include acoustically treated individual and ensemble practice spaces, instrument and uniform storage, a band director office, and support spaces. The current band hall is outdated and undersized to meet district needs. It was created over 60 years ago by converting an old building that was never originally designed as a band hall. Because of the building’s age, it also needs continual repairs.
• The new multi-purpose practice facility will benefit multiple extracurricular activities, and provide offices for coaches, storage, restrooms, etc.
Some may take the position that our programs are doing fine with the status quo. True, but the fact is, there isn’t enough facility capacity for the number of students we have. We need to maximize student participation and give them all the reasons we can to be excited about coming to school. If we can give San Saba students better facilities without increasing the tax rate, why wouldn’t we?
Amy Stencil
SSISD Parent and Citizen Committee Member