From staff reports
Fri, May 16 2008
—
Your last chance to cast an early ballot for the May 10 election ends today.
The election will carry as much significance as any in recent memory for the Athens Independent School District. Not only are two seats on the district’s board of trustees up for election, but also voters will decide on a $28.4 million bond issue.
Early voting will be held at the Administration Building on Hawn Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at Athens Intermediate School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Voters can cast ballots on Election Day Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In the school board election, incumbent trustee Jennie Mahmoud will face former board member Larry West for a seat. In the other race, Nick Rosenberg will face another former board member, Steve McElhany, for the second seat. The winner of the latter race will replace Eric Smith, who opted not to run for re-election.
A vote on the bond issue will end months of determined work by members of the school district and the community. AISD officials want the public to approve the bond to make improvements and alleviate overcrowding issues on each campus.
According to information provided by the district, student enrollment in grades pre-kindergarten through sixth grade have grown nine percent. Over the next five years, that growth is expected to mushroom another six to nine percent.
Some of the larger projects include building a new sixth-grade wing at Athens Middle School to house students moved from R.C. Fisher. At Bel Air Elementary, portable buildings housing classrooms will be removed and classrooms will be renovated. Classroom renovations, along with numerous other upgrades, are planned for South Athens Elementary, Athens Intermediate School, Athens Annex and Athens High School.
Additionally, upgrades are needed to bring campuses into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
For the owner of a house valued at $100,000, the cost of the bond will rise $10.91 per month, or $130.92 per year.
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