Voters in two communities approved annexation into the Austin Community College District during elections held Tuesday, November 2, 2010. As a result, the Elgin and Hays school districts will soon be home to new ACC campuses.
“Elgin ISD and Hays CISD are now full partners in the regional ACC District,” says Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC president/CEO. “We welcome those residents and look forward to delivering all the benefits of annexation, including dramatically lower tuition, expanded instructional programs and support services, as well as a more educated workforce, which is an asset to the entire community.”
The college has entered into contracts for 98 acres in Elgin and 96 acres in Kyle. ACC will break ground on both new campuses early next year; they will open fall 2013.
The measure passed in Elgin ISD by 61 percent, or 2,494 to 1,567. In Hays CISD, 59 percent of voters approved the measure, or 6,931 to 4,924.
Annexation initiatives did not pass in San Marcos CISD (5,109 to 6,132), Bastrop ISD (4,750 to 5,847), and McDade ISD (147 to 343).
College officials had strong praise for all the annexation steering committees, composed of volunteers who worked for months circulating petitions and campaigning in support of annexation efforts in their communities.
“Local steering committees worked diligently to bring these opportunities to their area,” says Dr. Barbara Mink, chair of the ACC Board of Trustees. “The need for higher education and training will only increase over time, so these initial efforts were important discussions for their residents and will likely continue as these communities grow.”
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By Erik G. November 3, 2010 - 12:51 pm
As ACC continues to grow they should change the name to like Central Texas College or something similar.
By ASA November 3, 2010 - 1:24 pm
Central Texas College is not an option, this name has already been taken.
By RC November 3, 2010 - 1:53 pm
does San Marcos count as in district?
By tammy k November 3, 2010 - 2:46 pm
no San Marcos will not be considered in district. San Marcos voted to Not annex ACC so students in San Marcos will continue to pay out of district tuition along with Bastrop students.
By Tracy November 3, 2010 - 4:30 pm
what is exact location of North Hays that the Acc campus will be located?
By mreyes November 4, 2010 - 6:50 am
Hi Tracy, the land is located in the Plum Creek area, near the intersection of Kohlers Crossing and Kyle Parkway (FM 1626).
By CLT November 4, 2010 - 8:21 am
So with all these new areas coming into ACC’s taxing district, does this mean that we can expect to see lower property taxes as a result of having a broader and larger taxing base? It seems that they keep getting larger and larger taxing bases but our taxes seem to still increase every year.
By Mel November 4, 2010 - 1:04 pm
Will ACC have medical trades at the Hays campus?
By mreyes November 4, 2010 - 1:55 pm
Hi Mel. First, if you’re a Hays resident, welcome to the ACC District! The Hays service plan has information about programs that will occur with the campus. The college is also in the process of creating a campus website that will provide construction and program information as we begin to expand services to you, so keep an eye out for that link. It should be up by next week.
By mreyes November 4, 2010 - 1:51 pm
Hi CLT, and thanks for youre question. I checked with ACC’s finance and budget experts. Here’s what they had to say: “ACC’s tax rate has decreased over the last five years. One of the primary reasons for this decrease has been expansion of tax base from the City of Austin annexation and the Round Rock annexation. These annexations will help the tax rate, but they are only adding about 4% to the tax base, so the impact on the tax rate will be small.”
By Court November 4, 2010 - 5:10 pm
I am SOOOOO happy that hays is now in district…..Thank you everyone that voted to have ACC in district. It helps us struggling college kids out a lot.
thank,
Court
By Melanie Barnes November 5, 2010 - 10:07 am
Will the North Hays Campus be close to the Performing Arts Center?
By mreyes November 5, 2010 - 11:52 am
Hi Melanie,
The Hays campus site is just east of Kyle Parkway – you can see an aerial map at http://www.austincc.edu/annexation/images/ACC_HaysCampus-site.jpg.
By mckinsey November 5, 2010 - 1:10 pm
WHAT ABOUT WIMBERLEY TX RESIDENTS, DO ARE THEY CONSIDERED IN DISTRICT
By ACC Annexation: Frequently Asked Questions- ACC Newsroom November 5, 2010 - 3:01 pm
[…] in two communities approved annexation into the Austin Community College District on November 2. Read on for answers to frequently asked […]
By Jerry B November 7, 2010 - 8:07 pm
So the campus in Elgin is slated to Open in 2013, I was under the impression that classes would be held at the high school until the campus officially opens..
Any idea when they will actually start offering classes in Elgin?
By ACC Staff November 9, 2010 - 12:28 pm
Jerry, Elgin ISD residents will have access to additional ACC classes when the college opens its Elgin Center for the spring 2011 semester. The center will be located at Elgin Elementary School and will hold classes in the evening. Currently Elgin High School students may take Early College Start classes on their high school campus; that will continue even after the new evening center at the elementary school opens. As you noted, the ACC Elgin Campus will open fall 2013.
By ACC Staff November 9, 2010 - 12:35 pm
McKinsey, students may verify their ISD using their county’s Central Appraisal District web site/address search system. For more information, please contact the Hays Central Appraisal District (512.268.2522 or http://www.hayscad.com) or Bastrop Central Appraisal District (512.303.1930 or http://www.bastropcad.org).