Alto steering committee appointed
AISD superintendent seeks input on $6.3 million bond proposal
BY LELAND ACKER

In an effort to promote the bond election, Alto ISD has formed a bond election steering committee. Superintendent Dr. Ray DeSpain told the committee during a special meeting of the Alto ISD Board of Trustees last Tuesday that their job is to formulate a game plan for a successful bond election.

"I have been through this at a couple of other districts," Dr. DeSpain said. "To have a successful bond election, you have to do your homework, be prepared and have answers to questions. I have tried to assemble a group representative of men and women, young and old, landowners, business owners, people who have money and those who don't have money."

Dr. DeSpain said while opponents of a school bond election generally remain silent during the campaign, they show up to vote.

"In my experience, failed bond elections happen because of voter apathy," he said.

The school board voted 6-0 to call a $6.3 million school bond election during their regular meeting in August. The bonds will be used to build a new elementary school. The facility proposed will be an "L" shaped 41,389 square foot classroom building to be built around the existing elementary school gymnasium.

Dr. DeSpain introduced Wade Thompson, vice president of Coastal Securities, a financial advising firm specializing in school districts.

Mr. Thompson explained that Coastal Securities works with 90 school districts in the state, including the largest 5A districts and the smallest 1A. He explained the effect the bond package would have on Alto taxpayers.

Dr. DeSpain said the largest impact the bond would have on the tax rate for a $39,000 home, the average value of a home in Alto, would be $5.70 per month.

Mr. Thompson pointed out that even with that impact, taxes after the bond will be lower than current property taxes school district residents are paying. This was due to recent legislation, Mr. Thompson said.

"We figured these estimates on a five percent interest rate," he said. "We're being very conservative. We hope to get a lower rate."

Dr. DeSpain told the steering committee that if the bond passes, Alto ISD hopes to have construction on the new elementary school completed by June 2009. He then asked for suggestions on promoting the bond.

"Any promotion has to be positive," said Randall Birdsong, committee member. "People are persnickety about their children and money. If they know the children will benefit, they will spend the money."

The committee discussed several options for promoting the bond election, including brochures, public forums and newspaper advertising. The committee elected Steve Mc- Carty as president and Judy Johnson as treasurer.

Other committee members from the Alto community include Bill Hudson, Kyle Griffith, James Green, Chris Davis, Edna Crain, Dianne West, J.D. Pearman, Earnest Mitchell, Sandy Wallace, Harold and Birda Parker, and Rev. K.B. Clater. Committee members who are employees of Alto ISD are: Fay Hudson, Kim and Teresa Bradshaw, Linda Skinner, Misty Duplichain, Sandy Holcomb, Jan Knott, Norma Silva and Jeanna Grogan.

The Alto ISD Board of Trustees next regular meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17 at the administration building.

The board expects to call special meetings as necessary to hold public hearings and meetings relating to the bond issue.