Published: May 08, 2008 09:08 am            

MAIL CALL: The numbers speak for themselves

Vote Yes for the Athens School Bond

Let “the numbers” speak for themselves! What numbers you might ask? Consider the following series of numbers and see for yourself what they say about the necessity of a school bond for the Athens Independent Schools.

• 1956, 1958, 1960, 1966, 1966, 1985, 2001

Taken in that order, they represent the year that each of the following buildings were completed: Annex, R.C. Fisher, South, Bel Air, Athens Intermediate, AHS, and AMS. Or subtract the age from 2008 and we find buildings that are 52, 50, 48, 42, 42, 23 years of age. The last major renovation to any of the buildings above occurred with the bond referendum almost 10 years ago (1999). Athens Middle School, our newest campus, is nearing the age of a 2nd grader (seven years old).

• 220, 515, 525, 500

The current capacities of R.C. Fisher (220), South Athens (515), Bel Air (525), and Athens Intermediate (500). This represents the current grade school alignment from K-6th grade. Now put that in perspective of the following actual attendance figures at the same campuses.

R.C. Fisher — 220 capacity, 251 students;

South Athens — 515 capacity, 594 students;

Bel Air — 525 capacity, 556 students

Athens Intermediate — 500 capacity, 525 students

Our Athens schools are already on waiver for being overcapacity in some areas, this trend shows to continue.

• 650

The new student capacity of each of the following schools Bel Air, South, Athens Intermediate. There will also be significant growth capacity at the Athens Middle School and High School campuses as well.

• 60 percent

The amount of time that a science teacher and his/her students must receive instruction in science lab versus a classroom. The government of Texas has passed legislation requiring schools to spend more time (60 percent) in the lab learning higher skills in science. Translation: science teachers will no longer share labs. With the successful passage of the Bond our students from the 4th grade up will have science labs constructed on their campuses. Currently, Athens Intermediate and 6th grade labs are inadequate. AHS will gain additional labs to meet the needs of a 4x4 curriculum which includes four years of science.

• $1.30738 per $100.00

You would have to look back 16 years to the year 1992 to find a lower tax rate (not including 2007). The estimated tax rate including the passage of a $28.4 million dollar bond is $1.30738. In 2007, school tax payers saw a tax rate compression courtesy of the Texas legislature. Even with the passage of the bond tax payers would see the second lowest rate of $1.30738 per $100.00 appraised home value in 15 years.

• 1 percent

The current rise in construction cost per month. Also, consider that interest rates are a attractive levels for borrowing money and may be even lower when the bond passes. Folks, it just isn’t going to get any cheaper to build. When was the last time you saw construction materials or labor cost drop?

• 7-0 and $28.4

The number seven represents the number of board members who unanimously approved the bond referendum for 28.4 million to be spent on new construction and renovation at all Athens campuses. A strong message from the Board of Trustees addressing the necessity and vision that our administration and teaching staff need additional tools and facilities to meet the challenges of the future.

Dan Rogers

Athens

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.