For its part, the school district should put a moratorium on building new schools until all seats in existing schools are filled. That requires shifting boundaries, which is tough politically.

It’s a waste of money to continue building new schools while seats in existing schools are empty.

School trustees should not put a tax increase referendum before voters in November or May. They know the city already is planning a big bond package and Central Health also is contemplating raising taxes.

The Austin school district has more than enough money in reserves to satisfy district needs, and this is the time to use those funds. Piling another tax increase on top of what the city, county and other taxing entities are likely to charge will only worsen factors that are pricing longtime residents out of Austin.

The school district (and Travis County) should stop subsidizing Austin’s historic exemptions for residential properties.

Pull back on rapid tax increases

Source: statesman.com