Austin, Texas, Jan. 31, 2006 – The Austin Community College (ACC) District Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing Thursday, February 2, on the ACC Service Plan for the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District (SMCISD). The hearing, in response to a citizen-driven initiative to annex SMCISD into the ACC District, will be held at The Meeting Place, 400 South CM Allen Parkway, in San Marcos, at 6:30 p.m.

“We want to hear from San Marcos residents about the local initiative to expand higher education opportunities in their community especially since enrollments from San Marcos and the surrounding area continue to grow,” said Dr. Barbara Mink, chair of the ACC Board of Trustees.

At their January 23 meeting, ACC trustees certified more than 1,900 signatures of San Marcos CISD voters who signed a petition asking the ACC Board to call an annexation election. The signatures were collected by the San Marcos/ACC Yes! Coalition.

“We’re pleased to have the opportunity to discuss what an expanded community college presence would mean for the San Marcos community, and the benefits of investing in expanded education and training,” said Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC president.

San Marcos citizens interested in speaking at the public hearing will be asked to sign in from 6:30-7:45 p.m.