A Travis County court in Austin has issued a ruling declaring Spring Branch ISD’s recent bond election legal and valid. The Jan. 17 ruling follows voter approval last November of a $597.1 million Bond Plan and district filing for declaratory judgment to prevent delays in bond sales, planning and construction.  

The declaratory judgment filing, first heard Jan. 7, asked that the Travis County Court authorize SBISD’s issuance of Proposed Public Securities, or bonds, up to the voter-approved limit of $597.1 million. The court’s ruling followed a second hearing.

On Nov. 6, 2007, by about a 60 percent margin, Spring Branch voters approved the first new bond proposition in eight years. The bond proposal will fund the rebuilding of 12 of the district’s oldest elementary campuses, build additional classrooms, and upgrade existing safety and security systems, classroom technology, bus transportation and athletics across the district.

Passage of the successful bond proposal followed a two-year planning process that involved more than 100 community members, parents, staff and students. Two district parents co-chaired the district’s 65-member Bond Advisory Committee, which worked more than five months to review both present and future school facility needs.

The SBISD Board of Trustees endorsed unanimously the final Bond Plan, an ambitious and aggressive 10-year rebuilding program that will have a positive impact on Spring Branch schools and community for many years to come.

posted 01-18-08