Bond Priorities

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.

- Steve Martin

No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child.
- Abraham Lincoln

* Please download Adobe Reader 8.0 for best results in using this website.

Click here: Animator vs. Animation

To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.

- Albert Einstein

All children deserve an equal playing field.

- Ed Allen, Westlake Picayune April 2008

My vision for Eanes can't be seen on a Jumbotron ...

- Eanes ISD parent

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

- Aristotle

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"The truth is like the sun. You can block it out for a time but it ain't goin' away." - Elvis

If You Aren't Completely Appalled You Haven't Been Paying Attention

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure. - Mark Twain

Information is currency for democracy.

-Thomas Jefferson

It's about power and money and the law firms who control and run the school districts.

- K. Yeaman, Mom

Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced.

- Albert Einstein

The best protection of the Texas Public Information Act is enforcement of the Texas Public Information Act.

- Dianna Pharr

EANES ISD BOND PRIORITIES

No Freedom of Speech in Eanes ISD

December 20, 2007

KeepEanesInformed requested public information showing the "bond prioritization process" and in response, Eanes ISD private attorney ELLEN SPALDING asked the Texas Attorney General to allow Eanes ISD to withhold bond-related public information citing the following reason:

"Ms. Pharr has complained for years about the manner in which EISD

chooses to spend its money.

(Note: Ellen Spalding is apparently unaware that it's OUR money and what about our first amendment rights?)

Click here to read original request

Click here to read letter to OAG responding to Eanes ISD request for OAG ruling

Click here to read OAG Ruling OR2007 1688 - OAG: You contend that the "drafts" you have marked are policymaking documents that either will be released or have been released to the public in their final form. You also state that the remaining information at issue reflects communications between the district's board, superintendent, and employees that consists of advice, recommendations, and opinions regarding the issues of "prioritization and use of bond funds." Upon review, we determine that you may withhold the drafts under section 552.111 of the Government Code.

Now take a look at the accounting fiasco of the last

Eanes ISD BOND PACKAGE by CLICKING HERE.

Executive Summary - ...a number of opportunities exist for EISD to improve controls in the program to appropriately manage construction-related costs. We identified approximately $663,000 of questionable payments to contractors that should be further examined by EISD as to whether reimbursements to EISD for these payments are warranted.

3/20/07 UPDATE

Bond Priorities Update - 3/20/07 - Warning! Pay for the fields and then KEEP OFF! Eanes ISD Board just authorized the expenditure of millions of our tax dollars to "change the scope" of the 2006 Bond Program and "authorize artificial turf and lights for Westlake High School athletic fields. See more below ...

Here are the design options for the "Multipurpose Practice Fields" rendered by a tax-funded architect. Sound familiar? Like the "Multipurpose Activity Field" (actually a Covered Football Field) turned down by the voters? Perhaps Eanes ISD will try to cover the fields in a future bond? Review the superintendent's March 19, 2007 recommendation (approved by the Eanes ISD board) stated as a "Change in Scope of 2006 Bond Program and Authorize Artificial Turf and Lights for Westlake High School Practice Fields One and Two."

At the same time, many community members are concerned about other issues ... such as safety, and the district's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The following documents were obtained using the Texas Public Information Act and reflect specific issues by campus. The ADA documents do not stand alone. Rather, they a part of a voluminous report on these issues including the Facility Analysis Objectives Report.

Part 1 of 5 Part 2 of 5 Part 3 of 5 Part 4 of 5 Part 5 of 5

Note: I requested these reports pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act in September 2005 and January 2006. I finally obtained a portion of the reports over one year later after a formal complaint to the County Attorney when the district did not produce the public information as the Office of the Attorney General ruled.

Information obtained includes the following and has been shared with community as appropriate:

2000 SHW Facilities Assessment Report (reflects ADA issues)

2001, 2002 - SHW Facilities Assessment Report (reflects ADA issues) - Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

2003 - SHW Facilities Assessment Report (reflects ADA issues)

2004 - EANES ISD "ADA ISSUES" - JUNE 11, 1004 - This oversized, color-shaded summary of past reports was produced SIX MONTHS after Nola Wellman began working in Eanes ISD.

Click here to inspect more ADA noncompliance reports funded by our tax dollars. Please note the dates span 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

May 2005 - Eanes ISD Safety and Security Assessment

August 2006 Inspection Report Westlake High School

Prior ADA complaint in 2004 was closed by the Office of Civil Rights in early 2007. OCR phone log here

Check back for updates on the district's bond priorities.

"Bond Priorities" link - see menu bar on left side of this webpage.

District Bond Priorities

Check back for updates on the district's bond priorities.

Proposition 1 passed

Proposition 2 failed ... proposed $5 million "multi-purpose" turf-covered field was not approved by voters.

KeepEanesInformed has highlighted a very important portion of this district document in red ... see below. Important because after voters reject "Proposition 2" Eanes ISD leadership approved a CHANGE OF SCOPE and will now add lighted, turf-covered "multi-purpose" fields. Voters did not approve this expenditure in advance. Watch for many other athletic upgrades, too.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED PROJECTS-PROPOSITION I

($53 million)

Estimated Costs

SAFETY AND SECURITY* $3 million#

Fire alarm systems, surveillance cameras, other communication systems (two-way radios, telephones, speakers), enhanced access control (fencing, signage, doors), lightning protection for outdoor areas

BUSES $3 million#

Forty new buses with increased fuel efficiency and lower emissions

TECHNOLOGY* $12 million#

Computers, infrastructure (wide/local-area networks), classroom technology (projectors, cameras, etc.)

DISTRICT-WIDE UPGRADES $13 million#

Roofs; mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems; Energy Management System; ADA improvements; furniture and equipment; band and orchestra uniforms and instruments; landscaping and drainage projects; general exterior and interior upgrades

SPECIFIC FACILITY UPGRADES $22 million#

􀂊 Westlake High School (Library renovation, Performing Arts facilities renovation/upgrade, additional parking, replacement of older HVAC systems, renovations of older restrooms/locker rooms)

􀂊 Hill Country Middle School (track and field areas, study of Walsh-Tarlton crosswalk, HVAC replacements, concession area renovation, exterior speakers and fencing)

􀂊 West Ridge Middle School (track and field areas, perimeter fencing, closed-circuit cabling, intercom and speaker system, concession area renovation, floor in small gym, carpet and tile as needed)

􀂊 Barton Creek Elementary (playground equipment replacement, resurfaced basketball court, upgraded wastewater lift station, alternative for student drop-off turn lane, carpet and tile)

􀂊 Bridge Point Elementary (fencing, front entrance redesign, handrails, stage curtain, digital thermostats, exterior stairway, carpet and tile)

􀂊 Cedar Creek Elementary (stage lighting and sound system, intercom and speaker system, restroom renovation, HVAC systems, alternatives to bus/car loading areas)

􀂊 Eanes Elementary (reconfigured driveways and drop-off areas, safety glass, carpet in Library, reconfigured exterior ramps, stage curtain, covered walkways)

􀂊 Forest Trail Elementary (additional restroom, stage lighting and curtain, front entry and office redesign, upgraded exterior ramp access, reconfigured clinic area, partitions in instructional areas)

􀂊 Valley ViewElementary (additional restroom, playground canopy, protective wall covering and sound system in cafeteria, fencing, water fountains, upgraded fire alarm system)

􀂊 Other District Facilities (Central Administration Business Office reconfiguration; Warehouse roof, flooring and lighting; Buchanan House renovation)

*to be funded under five-year payback

While the projects identified herein represent the District’s current expectations regarding the use of bond proceeds, the District retains the ability to prioritize projects, modify the scope and timing of any project, and amend, modify or replace the proposed projects to meet the needs of the District as determined by the Board of Trustees.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED PROJECTS-PROPOSITION II

($5 million)

This proposition includes an Eanes ISD multi-purpose activity center for use by band, athletics, cheerleaders and dance teams, physical education, community groups, youth groups, and EISD Community Education, among others. Design work would proceed if the project is funded, but preliminary plans are for a metal frame building of approximately 45,000 square feet, with a turf surface and a fan ventilation system. The location has yet to be determined, but would be in the vicinity of Westlake High School.

EANES ISD 2006 BOND FINANCIAL REPORT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2007