ELECTION RESULTS
While voters in Austin had an election to decide the future of police oversight in Austin, voters in Leander ISD passed $762.8 million worth of bonds for new facilities and technology. RESULTS BREAKDOWN
Voters pass LISD’s $762.8 million bonds
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
as $18 million for interactive panel installations, $13.64 million for internet network refreshes and upgrades, $7.86 million for student and sta device refreshes, as well as other equipment. Proposition C allocates $13.67 million for modernizing renovations at two performing arts centers, including $6.84 million for the Don Tew Performing Arts Center and $6.84 million for the South Performing Arts Center. Changes to the plan Among items listed in Proposition A are propos- als to repurpose three elementary schools and the Leander Extended Opportunity Center. The administration’s original ideas for these facilities—attempting to address uneven growth in the district—were to transform one school and the LEOC into early childhood centers, a professional learning center, and a facility housing both New Hope High School and administration sta . However, district o cials have since changed their approach to this plan and instead are expand- ing and reorganizing the district’s long-range planning committee to evaluate how the district will spend dollars meant for repurposing facilities, Gearing said. The ballot language for the bond election gives the district exibility for how it spends funding received through the propositions, Gearing said. and oversight outcomes throughout. Chris Harris, board president for Equity Action, said Proposition A’s resounding victory represents a win for Austinites by deterring police wrongdoing. “We’re going to have a police oversight system now where we can be much more assured that full and thorough investigations will occur when an allegation of wrongdoing is made, and that facts about misconduct are going to see the light of day,” Harris said. While the fate of both propositions was clear on election night, the nal outcome for police oversight in Austin is still to be determined and ties into the relationship between Austin and the police association. As an immediate next step, city o cials will certify election results later in May. The chapter of Austin’s city code covering police oversight will then be repealed and replaced by the text of Proposition A in line with state law. Contract talks between the city and the police association stalled out earlier this year after many city o cials stated their desire to wait for the May election before voting on a new deal. Now, Austin and the police union will handle the next labor agreement process with the updated oversight framework in place. Harris said he hopes to see that process begin soon.
Prop A wins approval, Prop B rejected in Austin police oversight election transportation and infrastructure projects, includ- ing $328.41 million for modernization projects, $193.53 million for new facilities, $66.66 million for transportation-related projects and more. Proposition B includes $50.82 million for eight projects related to technology equipment, such Leander ISD voters in both Travis and Williamson counties approved the district’s three propositions included in the $762.8 million bond package to fund new facilities, vehicles and technology, according to uno cial election results. Proposition A, which includes $698.33 million in funding for facilities, school buses and vehicles, received 62.04% of the votes. Proposition B was supported by 64.43% of voters, while Proposition C received 60.52% of votes in favor. Superintendent Bruce Gearing said while there was a small voter turnout with about 15,000 votes cast for or against each measure, the results re ect the trust the community has in the district. “I’m just very relieved that we can go forward as a fast-growth district and be able to plan for the growth that’s coming to our district, and also ensure that the facilities that our current students deserve are put into place,” he said. What’s in the bond Proposition A will fund 52 school facility,
Pass
Fail
CITY OF AUSTIN
Shall the voters of Austin adopt an initiated ordinance, circulated by Equity Action, that will deter police misconduct and brutality by strengthening the City’s system of independent and transparent civilian police oversight?
PROPOSITION A
79.27% For
20.73% Against
Shall the voters of Austin adopt an initiated ordinance, circulated by Voters for Oversight and Police Accountability, that will strengthen the City’s system of independent and transparent civilian police oversight?
PROPOSITION B
19.52% For
80.48% Against
LEANDER ISD
The issuance of $698,330,000 of bonds by the Leander Independent School District for school facilities, the purchase of necessary sites for school facilities, buses and vehicles and the imposition of a tax su cient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the cost of any credit agreements.
PROPOSITION A
62.04% For
37.96% Against
The issuance of $50,820,000 of bonds by the Leander Independent School District for technology equipment and technology infrastructure and the imposition of a tax su cient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the cost of any credit agreements.
BY BEN THOMPSON
Proposition A had a landslide victory in Austin on May 6 as voters soundly rejected the competing police oversight measure Proposition B. Proposition A passed with 79.27% support among Austin voters who cast ballots in the May election, while Proposition B failed with just 19.52% of votes cast in favor, based on voting totals out of Travis, Williamson and Hays counties reported after 10 p.m. on May 6. Proposition A was crafted by the criminal justice organization Equity Action last year. Equity Action leaders have said they wanted to forward the mea- sure to voters to strengthen police accountability and transparency in the city, and to remove aspects of the police oversight system from the bargaining process between Austin and its police union. Proposition B, backed by Voters for Oversight and Police Accountability, was based on the framework of Proposition A with several changes to language
PROPOSITION B
64.43% For
35.57% Against
The issuance of $13,670,000 of bonds by the Leander Independent School District for renovations to Don Tew Performing Arts Center and South Performing Arts Center and the imposition of a tax su cient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the cost of any credit agreements.
PROPOSITION C
60.52% For
39.48% Against
SOURCE: TRAVIS AND WILLIAMSON COUNTIES COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CEDAR PARK FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • MAY 2023
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