Debate over a proposed $349 million school bond has hit a boiling point in Round Rock.

Parents and board members debated whether the spending is necessary outside the Round Rock ISD stadium on Tuesday.

Bond opponents say they brought their protest to the stadium because it represents unnecessary spending. It was built in 2003 and paid for by district taxpayers.

"It reminds us with what happened with this stadium because the proponents put it on the ballot for $16 million and it cost $26.5 million," Don Zimmerman, a member of Save our Taxpayers, said.

The extra $10.5 million accounted for the cost of land.

But Round Rock school board member Jackie Burkey said the stadium is a good investment. She said the bond will cost district taxpayers $48 more a year.

"There's nothing frivolous in this bond," she said.

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"We need classroom space. We desperately need classroom space, We need to refurbish our technology. We need to add to our technology for our curriculum, new buses, more land purchases. Land isn't getting any cheaper," Burkey said.

Newly elected school board member Elizabeth Elleson doesn't question the district's needs. However, she does question whether the proposed bond initiative calls for more money than district taxpayers can or are willing to pay - especially when it comes to the proposed high school.

"It was six-to-one vote and I voted against the bond package. That's not to say that I don't believe that some of the things that are in the package are not necessary. I think we need a lot of those materials and items that are listed. I just think it could have been a better package," Elleson said.

Elleson and fellow opponent Zimmerman said the district would be wise to wait to see how the Legislature reworks the state's school finance system.

Bond proponent Burkey said putting off the election and hoping for additional state funding would be unwise.

"The students are here. We have to provide space. For every portable that we have to build, that means we have two fewer teachers, probably at $65,000 per wide portable that will hold 44 kids," Burkey said.

Since Round Rock ISD is considered a wealthy district, it must give money to poorer school districts. Like many other so-called Chapter 41 districts across the state, the district has reached the $1.50 property tax cap.