California school districts get most of their day-to-day funding from the state, but that money is typically not used to fund major projects, such as Oxnard’s new Del Sol High School, or major modernization and maintenance efforts. Not enough.
That’s where bonds come into play.
Four bond measures from three school districts: Oxnard Union, Briggs Elementary School in Santa Paula, and Santa Paula Unified are scheduled to be placed on local ballots this November 5th. If approved, the measure would give school districts the authority to issue large amounts of bonds. A loan similar to a mortgage that is repaid through new property taxes.
The specific numbers included in each bond proposal (tax rate, bond amount, etc.) are based on estimates and are subject to change in response to financial markets. School districts are allowed to borrow less than the total bond limit and are not required to complete every project they plan to cover with the bond. Bond funds are legally required to be used only for schools, not salaries.
The fourth district, Ventura Unified, is asking voters to renew its annual parcel tax, which is used to fund some programs and salaries.
The Ventura County Clerk publishes a voter information guide that includes the full text of each bill, analysis from the county attorney, and statements from opposition and advocacy groups.
Here’s what you need to know about each bill ahead of the November 5th vote.
Measure G — Briggs Elementary School District Bond
Total bond amount: $4.9 million Interest rate: $30 for every $100,000 of assessed value Approximate schedule: 2055-2056
The Briggs Elementary School District in Santa Paula is seeking to raise $4.9 million, primarily for a series of maintenance and upgrade projects. Measure G requires approval by 55% of voters.
Supporters, including parents and Mr. Briggs’ school board president, argued in statements of support that the 479-student district’s two campuses are aging and do not meet 21st century standards. Briggs School has been around for over 95 years.
“Briggs and Oliveland Elementary Schools are our most important community assets and should be our top priority,” the statement reads.
The new bond funds could be used to repair leaking roofs, renovate playgrounds, replace outdated heating and air conditioning systems, and retool plumbing and electrical systems. Potential projects also include campus technology upgrades.
The guide also includes a statement of opposition from Don Brault, president of the Ventura County Taxpayers Association.
“Instead of addressing problems as they arise, the district has ‘hoarded’ problems. Now, due to the passage of time and inflation, this work must be done at significant additional cost.” Brodt wrote.
He wrote a statement opposing all five school voting measures. The supporting statements for all five school tax measures contain some similar arguments and language.
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Measure E — Oxnard Union High School District Bond
Total bond amount: $285 million Average annual tax rate: $17.84 per $100,000 of assessed value Approximate schedule: 2056-2057
The county’s largest school district would need 55% approval to pass the bond proposal, which would help fund a wide range of projects across some or all of the district’s 13 schools and other facilities. There is a possibility.
Among the proposed projects listed on the 17,338-student district’s online information page are upgrades to plumbing, electrical and security infrastructure, and improvements to the campus’ sports, arts and career technical education facilities. The district could use some of that money to build Del Sol High School, which would include a playground and athletic facilities.
The full text of the bill includes other potential uses for the bonds, particularly the development of district land for “future workforce housing possibilities.” Other districts, such as Ojai Unified and Ventura Unified, are discussing workforce housing as part of a statewide push.
The voter information guide includes statements of support from local officials, including Camarillo City Councilmember Susan Santangelo, Oxnard Mayor John C. Zaragoza, and Ventura County Supervisor Vianney Lopez, with an average age of 40 It is claimed that the district’s dilapidated campus will be decommissioned on the 21st. The upgrade of the century.
“Our high schools are some of the most important assets in our communities and should be a top priority,” the statement reads.
Like Mr. Briggs, Mr. Bloat argued that Oxnard Union’s bond proposal contained too little specificity and that the district should have prioritized maintenance of its facilities over the years.
The Oxnard Union predicted on its information page that the new bonds would replace two pairs of bonds that mature in 2027 and 2040, respectively, so there would be no increase in tax rates for current property owners.
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Measures M and N – Santa Paula Unified School District
Total bond for Measure M: $28.4 million Rate for Measure M: $34 for every $100,000 of assessed value Approximate schedule for Measure M: Through 2049-50 Total bond for Measure N: $36 million Rate for Measure N: Valuation Approximate schedule of measures N: 2060 to 2061
Santa Paula Unified, home to 4,808 students, is seeking approval for two bond measures, both of which require 55% approval.
Measure M, a $28.4 million bond, will fund maintenance and improvements at Isbell Middle School and the district’s six elementary school campuses. Potential projects include renovating existing classrooms, laboratories, libraries and drinking fountains, as well as improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
Measure N, a $36 million bond, will be used in part to pay for renovations to Santa Paula High School. Most notably, the district could use the money to build a new pool, performing arts center and rebuild the historic Blyden Gym, which burned down two years ago.
District officials submitted statements supporting both measures. They wrote that Measure M provides students with an “improved learning environment and essential resources.” Measure N will provide maintenance funding and bring back Blyden Gym, a “local hub and symbol of our shared history.”
In his statement of opposition, Blott noted that the district is attempting to pass a similar bond measure in the March 5 primary. The middle school/elementary school version of that bond, “Measure A”, was twice the size. Both fell several hundred votes short of the required threshold of 55%.
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Measure H – Ventura Unified School District Parcel Tax Update.
Total price: $2.5 million per year Rate: $59 per parcel Term: 8 years
Ventura Unified is asking voters to approve an eight-year renewal of a $59 annual tax on each parcel of non-exempt property within district boundaries, totaling $2.5 million annually. The measure would require approval by two-thirds of voters.
The district has implemented a parcel tax since 2012 and plans to use the revenue to fund academic programs, art and music instruction, and electives. The proceeds would be kept in an account separate from the district’s general fund.
Local officials, including Ventura County Supervisor Matt Lover and Ventura Vice Mayor Janet Sanchez Palacios, signed a statement supporting the measure, saying it would “offset state funding uncertainty. He claimed that it would be a stable source of local funding. The statement said a parcel tax, which can be used to pay teachers’ salaries, unlike bond funds, is the “wrong way” to pay for those salaries. These “should be funded from the general fund,” he wrote.
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Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Contact us at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow us on Twitter @.Isaiah Murtaugh and @VCS school. You can support this effort with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.
