Video: Few attend talk on school levy

Published 1:11 pm Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The turnout was low, but the feeling was evident: People are supporting Austin Public Schools’ upcoming $28.9 million referendum for a new fifth- and sixth-grade school and Woodson Kindergarten Center expansion.

Only four people who weren’t connected with district officials showed up to a referendum information meeting Tuesday night at Austin High School, but it appeared they showed up in support of the referendum.

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“People feel that investing in education is essential for the community,” said Matt Lunning, AHS senior. Lunning organized Tuesday night’s meeting after talking with his mother, an Ellis teacher, as well as other district teachers and students.

Though the turnout was low, Lunning feels it’s important to get out as much information about the referendum as possible.

“We need to get out the information straight from the source,” he said.

The few who did show up to the informational meeting seemed to agree. Vince Lynch said he was concerned about the referendum but told district officials they needed to do a better job explaining the referendum’s tax impacts to seniors.

“They just want clarification,” Lynch said. Lynch gave his view on how district officials and Vote Yes committee members could better spread the word about the referendum.

“I appreciated hearing about the (referendum),” said Sandy Jarvis. “It is going to be harsh to look at all the different entities that are going to go for a tax increase.”

Lunning asked district officials to give another informational meeting on Nov. 1 at the high school, which will be open to the community.