Education
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
ACC proposes free tuition for high school seniors Pending the outcome of a proposal from its new chancellor, some enrolled and prospective Austin Community College students could soon qualify for free tuition. What’s happening? In February, ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart is expected to propose to the college system’s board of trustees a measure to create a zero-cost tuition program for high school seniors, with the goal of expanding the program to include students at all levels who live in the college system’s service area. If approved, it will go into eect this fall, a Jan. 10 release from ACC states. In October, Lowery-Hart described the commu- nity college’s aordability as its source of power and importance as a regional education partner. ACC has not increased tuition rates in the last decade.
District oers new path to graduation Georgetown ISD students who began ninth grade before the 2011-12 school year and have been unable to ocially graduate due to performance on state exams have a new path toward getting their diploma. The gist Per the policy approved by trustees Jan. 16, students who met all graduation require- ments except for performance on annual state tests may receive their diploma if they demonstrate pro ciency in the content areas of those exams. Factors considered include: • Grades • School attendance rate • Career and technical education courses • Other experience deemed relevant by the graduation committee
How it works Under the program, $85 per credit hour would be funded for each student for a period of three years, covering several fees paid by students:
Resident tuition $67 General fee $15 Success fee $2 Sustainability fee $1
$85 per credit hour allocations
Fees that would not be covered include: • Out-of-district fees • Tuition for nonresident and international students • Course- and program-speciic fees • Textbook costs
SOURCE: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGECOMMUNITY IMPACT
About the program High school seniors could receive up to three years of free tuition, with enrolled ACC students qualifying for two years, the release states. Funds for the program would come from monies already available within the college system’s budget.
Georgetown ISD board calls $649.51M bond for May Georgetown ISD trustees voted Feb. 12 to send four bond propositions totaling $649.51 million to voters. The propositions, intended to address growth needs within the district, will appear on the May 4 ballot. What you need to know recommended the district call the bond during a Feb. 5 workshop. The four-proposition bond would be funded by a $0.01 increase in the district’s tax
Bond breakdown
Proposition A, $597.47 million: School facilities, capital improvements, safety and security Proposition B, $20.33 million: Technology and technology infrastructure Proposition C, $27.85 million: Fine arts facilities Proposition D, $3.86 million: Athletics
rate. Committee members shared that 63% of around 1,200 GISD residents surveyed supported the $0.01 increase, which would cause the annual property tax bill for a home within the district with an average assessed value of $332,425 to be raised by $33.24, or $2.77 per month.
After months of evaluating district needs, the Georgetown ISD Citizens Advisory Committee
SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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