# Why Jonathan Coffman Supports ACC Annexation in Pflugerville

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Economic Development
October 3, 2026

# Why I’m Voting Yes on ACC Annexation

A closer partnership with ACC could bring more affordable education, local job training, and shared programs that serve both high school students and adults.

I support joining the Austin Community College district because of what a closer partnership could bring to Pflugerville: more affordable education, local job training, and shared programs that serve both high school students and adults.

This week, I joined Mayor Doug Weiss, PfISD Superintendent Dr. Quintin Shepherd, School Board President Chevonne Lorigo-Johst, ACC leadership, and other local partners to begin discussing how that partnership could work if voters approve annexation in November.

The discussion brought together education and economic development. We talked about the skills local employers need, programs that could help adults retrain or change careers, support for entrepreneurs, and how the City and Pflugerville Community Development Corporation could connect that work to attracting businesses and helping existing employers grow.

![Dr. Quintin Shepherd and Mayor Doug Weiss seated at a table, smiling during a conversation.](/img/htuUR-KD9J-320.webp)

Mayor Doug Weiss and PfISD Superintendent Dr. Quintin Shepherd at this week’s ACC partnership meeting.
## Building on PfISD’s new CTE Center

A major part of the conversation was PfISD’s new Career and Technical Education Center, scheduled to open in fall 2027. The district is building a facility for hands-on instruction, industry certifications, and career preparation while facing budget constraints around staffing and expanding programs. [PfISD’s project announcement](https://www.pfisd.net/news/news-details/~board/district-news/post/building-futures-pfisd-breaks-ground-on-next-gen-cte-center) describes the facility and its planned opening.

One idea we discussed was for ACC to locate faculty, equipment, and programs at the center. High school students could use the facility during the day, with adults and other learners taking classes at night and on weekends. Sharing labs, equipment, and instructional resources could allow PfISD to expand programs without carrying the full cost alone.

Those arrangements still need to be developed. Our meeting began that work. ACC’s [published annexation proposal](https://sites.austincc.edu/newsroom/2026/08/17/acc-board-approves-special-annexation-election-for-pflugerville-isd-territory/) already identifies potential collaboration at the CTE Center, including dual credit, workforce credentials, and career training.

We also discussed which ACC programs are seeing growing demand in northeast Travis County, which would make sense to offer locally, and what support PfISD would need to make the partnership work.

![Jonathan Coffman and Chris from ACC shaking hands.](/img/SmIH0u1GCC-320.webp)

With Chris from ACC at the partnership meeting.
![Chevonne Lorigo-Johst gestures while speaking with Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart.](/img/-rFnQwqtpl-320.webp)

PfISD School Board President Chevonne Lorigo-Johst talks with ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart.

## Connecting education to local jobs

Pflugerville already has schools, employers, facilities, and public institutions working on different parts of this problem. I want those efforts connected through a shared plan.

For a resident changing careers, that could mean training closer to home. For a high school student, it could mean earning college credit and a workforce credential using the same labs and equipment. For an employer, it could mean helping shape training that prepares people for jobs available here.

Annexation also carries a direct financial tradeoff. Property owners in the annexed territory would pay ACC property taxes, and residents would gain in-district tuition and benefits. ACC currently lists tuition at $85 per credit hour for in-district students, compared with $286 for out-of-district students. Its current property-tax rate is $0.1034 per $100 of assessed value, with exemptions for qualifying homeowners. [ACC’s annexation information](https://offices.austincc.edu/community-and-government-affairs/annexation/pflugerville-annexation-election/) explains those costs and benefits.

My support includes the opportunity to put ACC’s faculty, programs, and resources to work here alongside investments Pflugerville is already making. The planning we started this week is about identifying the programs, responsibilities, and resources needed to do that if voters approve annexation.

What I’ve done on this

I joined local leaders and ACC leadership to discuss how education, workforce training, and economic development could work together if voters approve annexation. We explored potential programs and shared resources at PfISD’s new CTE Center.

**Related priority:** [Smart Growth](/priorities/#growth)

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## Questions about this issue?

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