Maintaining Safe, Up-to-Date Schools

Our schools are among the County’s highest performing, but many were built over 65 years ago and now have deteriorating roofs — 77 leaks were reported last year alone. Our campuses have 298 heating and cooling systems that are 25+ years old and need replacement, and several of our schools still have underground clay and cast-iron pipes that are deteriorating, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups.

Our District has worked to responsibly maintain and upgrade facilities over time, making the most of available resources. However, the age and condition of many systems mean that ongoing repairs and additional improvements are still needed to keep schools safe, functional, and well-maintained.

Locally Controlled Funding for School Repairs and Upgrades

To upgrade aging school facilities to continue supporting high-quality education, our District is considering placing a local school improvement bond measure on the ballot to help ensure all students have access to high-quality facilities and opportunities. If approved by voters, funding could be used to:

  Upgrade classrooms, labs, and technology

  Provide modern labs, career technical education facilities, and equipment

  Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes from older schools

 Repair or replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas lines, sewer lines, HVAC, and electrical systems, and improve student safety and campus security

 Upgrade older schools so they meet current health codes,

Fiscal Accountability, Transparency, and Local Control

By law, a school facilities bond measure would include strict fiscal accountability protections:

• All funds must stay local to support our students and could not be taken by the state or federal governments or used for other purposes
• A detailed project list outlining how funds would be spent
• An independent oversight committee and annual independent audits
• All funding is locally controlled and cannot be taken by the State