Contingency funds are monies included in bond program budgets to augment project-level budgets that may be insufficient due to:

• Unprecedented increases in construction labor and materials costs by national or global demand pressures;
• Unavoidable but necessary changes in or additional scope of a project; or
• Protracted delays to projects caused by external forces that result in inflationary additional costs.

When developed, both the 2004 and 2008 bond programs included a 10 percent program-level contingency budget:

Original Program-Level Contingency for the $519.5 million 2004 Bond Program = $49,721,983*

Original Program-Level Contingency for the $343.7 million 2008 Bond Program = $23,809,161*

* Certain bond program projects and activities do not receive a contingency budget allocation due to the more predictable nature of their costs and their immunity to significant unforeseen increases in costs over time. These projects/activities include legal expenses, the purchase of buses, computers, software and technology systems. For this reason, the total program-level contingency does not equal exactly 10 percent of the bond program totals.

Contingency Funds Status

As of April 11, 2013, the unspent contingency funds for both the 2004 and 2008 bond programs total:

Current 2004 Bond Program Projected Accumulated Unspent Contingency Budget Balance = $1,259,915**

Current 2008 Bond Program Projected Accumulated Unspent Contingency Budget Balance = $295,350**

** These totals include funds generated by Austin Energy rebates for Green Building initiatives.

For a detailed report on the status of the bond programs contingency funds, please view the most current contingency fund reports below. View archived detailed contingency fund reports.

2004 Contingency Fund Report – April 11, 2013
2008 Contingency Fund Report – April 11, 2013

Utilizing Surplus Contingency Funds

As the majority of projects outlined in the original scope of the bond programs have been completed or are nearing completion, the District begins the process of assessing the amount of remaining contingency funds to explore potential uses of these funds. As with all funding provided through bond programs, there is a process to determine how monies should be used to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively in a manner that reflects the original intent of the bond referendum. Any use of bond program contingency funds must fall within the scope of work described in the original bond referendum.

Steps in Process for Determining Specific Uses of Unspent Contingency Funds

1. Austin ISD staff develops a preliminary list of potential projects that fall within the original scope of work of the bond referendum. This list may address known facility deficiencies including critical renovations that have been identified through the District’s facility condition assessment, the Facility Master Plan efforts and the Community Bond Oversight Committee’s (CBOC) oversight of the bond programs.
2. The CBOC reviews the list of recommended projects. The CBOC may accept the list provided by staff, add or remove projects, or create its own list.
3. The CBOC’s approved list is shared with the Board of Trustees for its receipt of public input and subsequent approval in its final form.

Approved Utilization of 2008 Bond Program Contingency Funds

First Round of Approved Work for Implementation in 2012

In November 2011, the CBOC approved a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the use of surplus contingency funds for urgent maintenance work. On January 30, 2012, the Board of Trustees approved a list of critical renovations projects estimated to cost $10,727,802, and the cost for the facilities implementation of the Annual Academic and Facilities Recommendations (AAFRs) for the 2012-2013 school year estimated at $5,361,658, to be funded through surplus 2008 Bond Program contingency funds.

Once projects were approved, the District began the process to design projects and hire contractors with work anticipated to take place over summer 2012. The majority of work is on schedule to be completed before the start of the 2012-2013 school year. Updates on the progress of projects, funded through contingency funds, are available on the bond program project pages for individual facilities accessible using the drop down menu at the right.

Approved Urgent Maintenance Work

• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning ($3,776,757) – These projects include the replacement of a variety of HVAC equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. This work will occur at 17 schools, and the resulting efficiency of the new equipment will contribute to the District’s energy and water conservation efforts.
• Plumbing ($1,437,499) – These projects include the replacement of water, sanitary sewer, and storm water piping, as well as some kitchen grease traps and related viewing ports, that have reached the end of their useful lives. This work will occur at 12 schools, and will support the District’s water conservation and storm water management efforts.
• Electrical ($1,151,739) – These projects include the replacement of some main electrical distribution equipment, emergency lighting, and emergency utility shut-down equipment that have reached the end of their useful lives. This work will occur at five schools and one support facility, and will provide a safe and dependable supply of electrical power and lighting to these facilities.
• Roofing ($4,155,944) – These projects include the replacement of roof areas that have reached the end of their useful lives. This work will occur at four schools, and protect multiple building systems within these facilities from premature deterioration due to water infiltration, while eliminating other related safety concerns.
• Elevator ($150,225) – This project will replace an original 38-year old elevator at Anderson High School that has reached the end of its useful life, and provide safe, dependable and accessible travel for all students and staff.
• Kitchen Flooring ($55,638) – This project will replace the kitchen flooring at Zavala Elementary School, which has become cracked and difficult to keep clean, and provide a safe and sanitary surface for the preparation of food for students and staff.

See a detailed description of 2008 contingency fund urgent maintenance work projects by campus or select a facility in the drop-down menu to the right to see all bond program projects for that facility including projects approved to be funded through contingency funds.

Approved Facilities Work for the Annual Academic and Facilities Recommendations (AAFRs)

• North Central Elementary School Overcrowding ($4,131,228)
  • Move elementary school sixth grade to middle school
  • Pre-K center at Dobie Middle School
  • Provide elementary grade classroom space at Webb Middle School
  • Reassign Barrington Elementary School Pre-K to Reilly Elementary School
• IDEA College Prep In-District Charter ($430,040)
  • Allan Elementary School (grades K-5) and Eastside Memorial High School (grades 6-12)
  • Renovations at Ortega and Govalle elementary schools
• Graduation Pathways Education Program In-District Charter ($380,390)
  • Create program space at Lanier High School and Travis High School
• Alternative Education Learning Support Centers ($420,000)
  • Interior improvements at various secondary facilities

For more information on the AAFRs, visit the Facilities Master Plan section of the website.

Second Round of Approved Work for Implementation in 2014

Following the CBOC’s November 27, 2012 meeting, District Administration received the CBOC’s recommendation regarding the use of a portion of the 2004 and 2008 bond programs remaining funds for critical facility systemic repairs. In addition, the CBAC proposed the Board consider the use of another portion of these funds for the relocation of the Alternative Learning Center program in preparation for the creation of the School for Young Men at the present ALC site.

At the January 28, 2013 regular board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the proposed uses of the 2004 and 2008 bond program contingency funds ($2 million) for critical renovation projects as identified below, as well as facilities improvements associated with the approved Annual Academic and Facilities Recommendation (AAFR) relative to the School for Young Men, for implementation in the 2014-15 school year.

Approved Critical Systemic Repair Projects:

• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning ($2,576,100) – These projects include the replacement of a variety of HVAC equipment that is beyond rated service life and is difficult to maintain. This work will occur at 14 schools and will improve indoor air quality and comfort levels at affected schools.
• Roofing ($786,600) – These projects include the replacement of roof areas with leaks. This work will occur at two schools and will prevent water infiltration into interior spaces.
• Electrical ($867,300) – These projects include the replacement of lighting panels and motor control centers that are aged and parts for repair are no longer available. This work will occur at four schools and will provide reliable equipment.
• Plumbing ($870,000) – These projects include the replacement water piping and heating boilers and pumps that have reached the end of their useful lives. This work will occur at four schools, and will fix chronic leaks.

See a detailed description of the critical systemic repair projects by campus or select a facility in the drop-down menu to the right to view all bond program projects for a specific facility, including projects approved to be funded through contingency funds.