Carroll Independent School District
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2009 Bond Facts Questions & Answers

Have a question on the topic of Long-Range Facility Planning? Email CISD today.

Select from the following Categories & Questions

Long-Range Facility Planning Citizens' Committee

Bond Election Basics

Voting Details

Bond Proposition Information & Presentations

School Finance, Robin Hood & Local Tax Rate

Campus Overcrowding & Demographic Projections

Facility Committee Recommendations & Project Details

Opportunities For Community Input/Feedback


Who appointed the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee?

The Carroll School Board formed a 41-member citizens’ committee to study options for managing student enrollment and maintaining CISD facilities. The committee was composed of parents, employees and taxpayers without children who represent each of the 11 school attendance zones. The group began working in March 2008 to study building capacities, enrollment projections and facility needs. On February 2, 2009, the Committee made a formal recommendation to the Carroll ISD Board of Trustees.

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How can I find out what this group recommended?

A complete copy of the Committee’s recommendation is available on the website or by clicking the link below:

Facility Committee’s Final Recommendation

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Is there a website detailing the Committee's Recommendations?

Yes. There is a comprehensive Facility Planning Committee webpage that provides meeting details, handouts and summaries of the Committee's recommendations. The link is available by clicking the icon on the main website or by visiting the Board Members drop down menu and clicking on the Facility Planning link. For your convenience, a direct link is provided below:

http://www.southlakecarroll.edu/cisd-facility-planning.aspx

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Who served on the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee?

The Committee was led by CISD parent and taxpayer Robert Williams. A complete list of Committee members is provided below:

Facility Committee Members

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Was the Committee charged with recommending a school bond election?

No, in fact, the School Board left all options on the table (i.e. rezoning, portable buildings, other revenue sources, bond election, etc.) for the Committee to consider. The Committee did not begin with a project list nor did the Administration make any recommendations about what the group should look at during their study. In fact, Chairman Robert Williams divided the Committee into five subcommittees to review projections, tour facilities and interview school leaders. The group developed their own project list and recommendations and then researched the district's financial situation and possible funding alternatives. Only after a year of reviewing all options did the Committee recommend a school bond election. As part of that recommendation, however, the Committee wanted to be sure the proposed election did not require a local tax rate increase. The group also recommended the School Board utilize all funding options (fund balance, operational funds and/or marketing/sponsorships) when considering future planning.

To read the Committee's actual Charge and Objectives, click here.

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What is a school bond election?

A school bond election is held when the locally elected School Board needs voter approval to borrow money to construct facilities. Voter authorization gives the local district the ability to sell bonds, construct facilities and pay for the costs over time – typically a 20- or 30-year period.

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Who has the authority to call a school bond election?

Only the locally elected Board of Trustees can call a school bond election.

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Can bond election monies be used to pay teachers' salaries?

No. Salaries for teachers, administrators, support and auxiliary staff are paid from a separate account in the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) budget. The law prohibits the use of debt service funds for salaries.

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What can bond monies be used to fund?

Debt service or bond funds may be used to buy land, construct or renovate new facilities, add technology and provide furniture and other items to equip classrooms. The debt service budget is not affected by the district’s Chapter 41 Robin Hood status. Bond money cannot be used to pay employee salaries, classroom supplies, utilities, or daily operational costs.

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Didn’t the Legislature abolish the Robin Hood school finance system?

No. Carroll ISD is still a Chapter 41 district and sends millions in local tax dollars away annually to property poor districts. In 2009, Carroll will send away $12 million to property poor districts. While the Legislature did revamp the school finance system and provide some relief, Robin Hood did not go away and CISD still pays under the current system.

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What exactly does Chapter 41 mean?

Carroll ISD’s property wealth per student exceeds the state limit and all monies above that limit are sent to property poor districts in the state of Texas. Approximately 40 cents of every tax dollar collected in CISD is sent away and not available to help educate local students. CISD has to collect $1.40 for every $1 it needs to operate its schools. As a result, CISD pays a premium on every maintenance and operations budget dollar that is spent. For example, to purchase a $100,000 school bus, neighboring Keller ISD simply pays $100,000. Carroll ISD, a Chapter 41 Robin Hood district, must collect $140,000 in taxes to buy that same bus.

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When can the School Board call a bond election?

In the past, School Boards could pick an election date to meet their local needs. Texas law, however, now limits school bond elections to only two times per year – during the May and November general elections. Trustees must call the election 62 days in advance.

Final 2009 Bond Election Order

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How would the school bond election ballot be worded?

The ballot for a school bond election typically includes one or more propositions that provide a general project description along with a total dollar amount. On March 9, Trustees called a May 9 school bond election that will be held at the same time as the local School Board election. Therefore, the ballot will also include a place for voters to decide two seats on the local School Board. Trustees agreed to include three separate bond propositions on the May ballot. The actual wording of the ballot is provided below.

May 9 Bond Election Ballot Wording

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What happens if the school bond election passes?

Once a bond is passed, school officials are then authorized to use proceeds from the sale of the bonds to initiate project planning and construction as outlined in the pre-election materials.  It takes approximately 60-90 days for money to become available. Most projects are spaced across a construction timeline that could span 2-3 years. In the propsed May election, construction of the new schools and additions would commence as soon as possible with a proposed completion/opening date of August 2011. If Proposition 1 passes and a new Carroll Middle School is built, work to renovate the existing campus into a technology data center, teacher training center and administrative offices would not begin until after the new middle school is complete and students vacate CMS.

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What happens if the school bond election fails?

Trustees must postpone and/or prioritize urgent projects utilizing available fund balance dollars. The district's fund balance is a reserve account to serve in the event of emergency or priority needs. It is similar to a savings account, but typically helps districts make payroll while they are waiting for tax dollars to be collected. In many cases, districts must seek voter approval again at a future date to provide the facilities necessary to accommodate student enrollment. Carroll ISD could prioritize projects and utilize fund balance and/or maintenance and operations dollars. Options for managing growth absent of new facilities include portable buildings, capping and/or revoking transfer requests, attendance rezoning, etc.

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When is the election?

Trustees voted to call a May 9 school bond election. It will be held in conjunction with the local School Trustee election on Saturday, May 9, 2009.

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What is the last day to register to vote?

The last day to register to vote in the May 2009 Election is Thursday, April 9.

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When is early voting?

The early voting period for the May 2009 election will begin April 27 and ends on May 5. Early voting in the May 2009 election will be held at the following days and times:

April 27-30
Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday, May 1
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 2
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 3
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5
7:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

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Where is early voting?

The most centrally located spot for early voting for Carroll ISD voters is in Southlake Town Square at Southlake Town Hall on the third floor. However, a registered voter may cast an early ballot at any early voting location in Tarrant County during the early voting dates/times listed above. A list of Tarrant County early voting locations is provided below.

Tarrant County Elections Center
2700 Premier Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76111

Griffin Sub-Courthouse
3212 Miller Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76119

Northeast Sub-Courthouse
645 Grapevine Highway
Hurst, Texas 76054

Bob Duncan Community Center
2800 South Center Street
Arlington, Texas 76014

Handley-Meadowbrook
Community Center
6201 Beaty Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76112

Keller Town Hall
1100 Bear Creek Parkway
Keller, Texas 76248

Elzie Odom Recreation Center
1601 NE Green Oaks Blvd
Arlington, Texas 76006

Lake Como Area Council
3507 Horne Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Kennedale Community Center
316 West Third Street
Kennedale, Texas 76060

Fire Training Center
5501 Ron McAndrew Drive
Arlington, Texas 76013

Riverside Community Center in the Park
3700 East Belknap Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76111

Lakeside Town Hall
9830 Confederate Park Rd.
Lakeside, Texas 76108

Southeast Sub-Courthouse
700 E Abram Street
Arlington, Texas 76010

Sendera Ranch Elementary School
1216 Diamond Back Ln
Haslet, Texas 76052

Northwest Sheriff’s Patrol
6651 Lake Worth Blvd
Lake Worth, Texas 76135

South Service Center
1100 SW Green Oaks Blvd.
Arlington, Texas 76017

Southside Community Center
959 East Rosedale Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104

Mansfield Sub-Courthouse
1100 East Broad Street
Mansfield, Texas 76063

B. J. Clark Annex
Room 4
603 Southeast Parkway
Azle, Texas 76020

Southwest Sub-Courthouse
6551 Granbury Road
Fort Worth, Texas 76133

North Richland Hills Recreation Center
6720 Northeast Loop 820
North Richland Hills, Texas 76180

Bedford Public Library
1805 L. Don Dodson Drive
Bedford, Texas 76021

Summer Glen Library
4205 Basswood Boulevard
Fort Worth, Texas 76137

Pantego Town Hall
1614 South Bowen Road
Pantego, Texas 76013

Benbrook YMCA
1899 Winscott Road
Benbrook, Texas 76126

Tarrant County Plaza Bldg.
201 Burnett Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Richland Hills Community Center
3204 Diana Drive
Richland, Texas 76118

Colleyville City Hall
100 Main Street
Colleyville, Texas 76034

Worth Heights Community Center
3551 New York Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76110

River Oaks City Hall
4900 River Oaks Blvd.
River Oaks, Texas 76114

Crowley Community Center
900 East Glendale Street
Crowley, Texas 76036

Starrett Elementary School
2675 Fairmont Drive
Grand Prairie, Texas 75052

Saginaw City Hall
333 West McLeroy Blvd.
Saginaw, Texas 76179

Euless Public Library
201 North Ector Drive
Euless, Texas 76039

Grapevine Community Activities Center
1175 Municipal Way
Grapevine, Texas 76051

Southlake Town Hall
1400 Main Street
Southlake, Texas 76092

Mahaney Community Center
6800 Forest Hill Drive
Forest Hill, Texas 76140

Haslet Public Library
100 Gammill St.
Haslet, Texas 76052

Watauga City Hall
7105 Whitley Rd.
Watauga, Texas 76148

Diamond Hill/Jarvis Library
1300 Northeast 35th Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76106

Haltom City Recreation Center
4839 Broadway Avenue
Haltom City, Texas 76117

White Settlement Recreation Center
8213 White Settlement Rd.
White Settlement, Texas 76108

Fort Worth Municipal Building
1000 Throckmorton Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Hurst Recreation Center
700 Mary Drive
Hurst, Texas 76053

W. R. Hatfield Elementary School
2051 Texan Drive
Justin, Texas 76247

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Who can vote early?

Anyone registered to vote in Tarrant County can do so during the early voting period.

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Where do I vote on election day?

Election day voting will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. Voting on election day is by precinct number (located on your voter registration card). The following locations are designated on election day:

Precinct 3559
Bransford Elementary School
601 Glade Road
Colleyville, TX 76034

Precincts 3035, 3039, 3114, 3469, 3470, 3542,3559
Grapevine Community Activities Center
1175 Municipal Way
Grapevine, TX 76051

Precinct 3624
Shady Grove Elementary School
1400 Sarah Brooks Drive
Keller, TX 76248

Precincts 3035, 3039, 3286, 3359, 3470, 3526, 3529, 3538, 3545, 3558, 3559
Carroll High School
800 North White Chapel Boulevard
Southlake, TX 76092

Precincts 3286, 3529
Westlake Town Offices
Solona Office Complex
3 Village Circle
Westlake, TX 76262

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How will the ballot be worded?

Ballot wording is determined by the local School Board on the recommendation of their bond counsel. Ballot wording will be general, rather than specific, but will include each proposition and a box for voters to check. The voters will have the opportunity to vote on each proposition separately, but all will be located on the ballot.

May 9 School Bond Election Ballot Wording

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How can I find out the election results?

Carroll ISD will post election results on the CISD website immdiately following the election. Timing of the results depends on the various precincts reporting in to Tarrant County. The district and local media will share the results with the public as quickly as possible via online web postings and email notices.

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What projects will be included in the May bond election?

Carroll School Trustees called an election that includes three separate propositions. The project list for each proposition is provided below:

Proposition 1 - $114.1 million

Proposition 2 - $19.3 million

Proposition 3 - $4.6 million

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Where can I find details about each propositions?

Details for each proposition are highlighted in the materials provided by CISD on the website and in the Q&A Section. Additional questions may be emailed to CISD.

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Are there public meetings or presentations I can attend?

Yes. Superintendent David Faltys has already been making presentations on the work of the Facility Planning Committee during PTO meetings, campus staff meetings and neighborhood coffees.

The district's website includes a listing of public meetings and presentations on the facts of the election and ballot propositions. Visit the main district website and click on the Bond 2009 website icon to find a listing of upcoming presentations or click this direct link to the presentation schedule. All meetings, except those held in the private homes of CISD residents, are open to the public. Carroll ISD is participating in these residential meetings at the request of and as a guest of a local citizen. The school district does not manage or have the right to invite the public into a private residence.

If you are interested in having a School Administrator, Trustee or Facility Planning Committee member present during a neighbood coffee or meeting in your home, email CISD.

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Will my taxes increase?

The bond projects proposed to voters for the May 9 election do not require a tax rate increase. In fact, there was no scenario ever considered that involved a debt service tax rate increase. Based upon conservative scenarios provided by the school district’s financial advisors, Carroll ISD voters can authorize up to $150 million in bond projects without causing an increase in the local tax rate. The project list presented by the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee is well below that amount, and Committee members recommended the School Board call a bond election for an amount that will not require a tax rate increase. If you are concerned about how it might affect your tax bill, see the next question.

Click here to view the Financial Impact Analysis

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If the tax rate doesn’t increase, will my local tax bill be the same or lower in the future?

A tax bill is determined by both an established tax rate and the value of the property. While Carroll ISD does not establish property values, the Board can adjust the tax rate. The amount of an individual tax bill is ultimately determined  by the established rate as it applies to the assessed value of that property. If both the tax rate and the property value remain the same or are lower, the individual’s tax bill will be the same or lower. If the property value increases, the overall tax bill will likely increase as well. Finally, an increase in your property values could still cause an increase in your tax bill even if the tax rate itself is not increased.

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How can the district incur this debt without raising the local tax rate?

Rising property values help with this scenario, but basically new debt can be layered into the existing debt service tax rate without causing a rate hike. In fact, the scenarios provided by the financial advisors show the debt service rate actually decreasing over the life of the bonds.  Certainly the timing and size of the debt service rate decrease are dependent on future property values and bond elections.

Click here to view the Financial Impact Analysis

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What if I am a resident over 65 years of age?

Residents who are 65 years of age and older are eligible to have their taxes frozen.

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How many CISD campuses are currently overcrowded?

CISD has six of 11 campuses operating over their functional capacity. The most significant overcrowding is at Johnson Elementary where 755 students are utilizing a building designed for 600. Johnson currently has three portable buildings temporarily serving students. Other campuses operating above capacity are Old Union Elementary, Durham Intermediate, Eubanks Intermediate, Dawson Middle School and Carroll High School. Portable buildings are already being utilized at Old Union Elementary, Durham Intermediate and Eubanks Intermediate.

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What are the demographic projections for each grade level over the next five to ten years?

The Capital Improvements and Building Use Subcommittee studied CISD’s demographic projections carefully. While the economy can certainly have a short-term affect on mobility and student growth, the long-term outlook – through 2017 - shows capacity shortfalls at every level. The chart below shows the most critical needs as identified by the Subcommittee:

 

Level

2017 Required Capacity

Existing Capacity

2017 Capacity

Shortfall

Elementary

3317

3034

283

Intermediate

1484

1146

338

Middle

1534

1510

24

High School

1581

1328

253

Senior High School

1572

1425

147


 
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Didn’t the district just complete a new classroom wing and construction projects at Carroll High School?

Yes.  Because there were some significant unknowns at the time of the 2006 bond election regarding housing developments like Carrillon, school officials decided to build only what was deemed necessary at that point in time. The 2006 citizens’ group made recommendations knowing that CHS may require additional expansions to accommodate future enrollment.

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What is functional capacity?

The functional capacity of a campus is the number of students that can be served on that campus given the space limitations. School officials worked with citizens to count classrooms and identify programmatic needs that affect a campus’ functional capacity. There are a number of factors that are considered when determining the functional capacity of a building. These include but may not be limited to square footage of the classrooms, state mandates regarding class sizes, the special needs of students and various district programmatic options. Once all of these factors have been taken into consideration, the number of students a campus can accommodate is dependent upon the number of available core classrooms which remain.

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Which campuses are proposed to receive additional classrooms?

Proposition 1 includes a new elementary school on N. White Chapel Blvd. to house Durham Elementary and relieve crowding at Johnson Elementary. When DES vacates its existing building, there will be 38 classrooms available for Durham Intermediate to access. The Committee projects they will need at least 12 of those classrooms. Pre-K classes could also be housed centrally in some of the vacated DES classrooms, freeing up classrooms at Carroll Elementary, Rockenbaugh and Old Union. Proposition 1 includes a new school for Carroll Middle School students. It also includes additional classrooms at Old Union Elementary, Eubanks Intermediate, Dawson Middle School and Carroll High School. There are no proposed classrooms for Carroll Elementary, Rockenbaugh Elementary and Carroll Senior High. Their functional capacities can handle growth through 2017. By that time, the City of Southlake projects it will be almost completely built out.

There are also core expansion projects in Proposition 1 planned for Carroll Elementary (library, gym and cafeteria) and Johnson Elementary (library).

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There is a rumor that Carroll ISD is building new schools and abandoning three campuses. Is that true?

Absolutely not. The Facility Committee recommended building an elementary school. Durham Elementary School students and staff and some Johnson students will be relocated to that building. The Durham Elementary School classrooms on Shady Oaks Drive will be utilized by Durham Intermediate School to relieve overcrowding at that campus and help CISD eliminate portable buildings on the DIS side. The DES office will be utilized so that DIS office staff and Administrators can now be located at the front of the building rather than having parents use a back entrance into their fifth/sixth graders' school. Classrooms at the front of the existing DES campus will be utilized for the growing preschool program. There are nine classrooms in that area of the building already equipped with smaller toilets, sinks and other necessary PRE-K resources.

The Facility Committee also recommended construction of a new middle school for Carroll Middle School students. If the proposed bond election passes, CMS students would be relocated to the new campus on East Highland Avenue possibly in the fall of 2012. At that time, CISD would begin the immediate conversion of the existing CMS campus into a technology data center, teacher training and professional development areas and administrative offices. This leaves the existing administration center for warehousing of bulk purchased supplies and equipment.

The Facility Committee recommended that the district sell Carroll Intermediate School and the land to recoup funds that could be used to help offset new construction and debt service costs. This campus closed as a school in 2003, but has still been utilized for CISD office and storage space since the vote was made to move students out of this facility. The Southlake Department of Public Safety is also utilizing the building as part of a joint services rental agreement.

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Why is the Committee recommending construction of a new “fifth” elementary rather than a new “sixth” elementary?

All along, school officials have planned for the possibility of a sixth elementary campus to accommodate student enrollment. The citizens on the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee realized that construction of a new sixth elementary school would require the hiring of another core staff (principal, assistant principal, counselor, nurse, etc.) which burdens the maintenance and operations budget. In addition, it would require the re-zoning of students from five to six attendance zones, which would more than likely result in a new school opening under capacity.  Instead, the committee considered the option of building a new “fifth” elementary school where all 450 Durham Elementary students would attend together with approximately 150 Johnson Elementary students. This recommendation, committee members believe, would result in less zoning disruptions, avoids the cost of additional core staffing and relieves overcrowding at Johnson Elementary and Durham Intermediate Schools. Both schools would open in 2011 with approximately 600 students. This would balance the elementary school enrollment across the district.

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Why not utilize Carroll Intermediate School?

Carroll ISD closed Carroll Intermediate School in 2003 to save operational costs. The building has been used most recently to house Child Nutrition Services and the district’s Assessment Center . In addition, a portion of the building is currently being leased by the City of Southlake. A recent architectural study of this particular campus revealed that the cost to renovate would by far exceed the potential value the district might realize from the sale of the land and building and subsequent use of the monies for future ongoing construction projects. It is important to note, however, the Long-Range Facility Committee has recommended that the Board wait until an appropriate time in the real estate market to sell CIS.

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Why did the Committee recommend building a new Carroll Middle School?

Carroll Middle School is one of the district’s oldest campuses. It was built in 1970 and has undergone several renovations and additions, the most recent one about 10 years ago for a total of $8 million. While the campus is structurally sound, the design and additions cause safety and core space concerns. If the district continues to use this campus as a school, significant renovations would be necessary to bring the building up to the standards of Dawson Middle School. Costs to renovate the campus are projected at about $16 million and would require ongoing construction while students are utilizing the building. Instead, the Committee made a recommendation to construct a new middle school for students and renovate CMS for use as a technology data center, teacher training facility and administrative offices. While this option costs more initially, it places students in newer facilities and administrators in older facilities. It also helps ensure parity with facilities being utilized by seventh and eighth graders who live in the Dawson zone.

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What technology projects are being proposed?

It has been 10 years since Carroll voters approved a technology bond for CISD schools. A review of technology needs resulted in a list of projects that help address connectivity, speed and stability of the district’s internet system. The proposed projects are in line with the Texas Long-Range Technology Plan for students. The Committee recommended that the district consider purchasing and owning its fiber network rather than leasing as it currently does. This will help save monies on the operational side of the district’s budget while also ensuring redundancy and future expansion.  Committee members insisted that the district must first make improvements to the infrastructure before adding any more hardware upgrades or instructional tools. They also recommended a technology data center to house servers and protect district systems. They, along with a third-party technology consulting company, recommended a teacher training area and an ongoing maintenance plan for desktop computers.

Click here to view the Technology Consultant's Final Report

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How can I provide the school district with input on the project list and potential bond election?

Carroll ISD conducted a scientific telephone survey in February that involved a random sampling of registered and participatory voters. The district has no control over who was called to participate in this survey, but the margin of error on the survey results using 400 call responses is plus or minus five percent. An informal survey for everyone else was available online in February.

Anyone – taxpayers, parents, employees, media reporters, etc. – can email the administration with questions about the ongoing work of the Facility Committee and/or the School Board. Simply email the address below and your questions will be forwarded to and answered by the appropriate individual.

Email your Facility Planning/Bond questions or comments here.

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Where can I find results of the scientific and informal public surveys conducted in February?

The survey results from both the scientific telephone survey and the informal, online web survey are available by calling 817-949-7080.

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