Measure Y officially approved by voters
With final election results now in, Woodland voters have officially moved forward with a a school bond by approving Measure Y, which extends the current 1999 school bond’s tax rates and provides around $ 44 million for all 18 schools in the Woodland District.
The measure will direct money toward expanding vocational education facilities for programs including automotive engineering and construction trades; improve classroom technology and internet access; repair classrooms and schools; and replace roofs, HVAC, wiring, and plumbing be adopted.
It has been a long time coming as voters in Woodland have not approved a facilities bond since 1999. Final results show the bond passed with 61.49% or 17,117 votes for and 10,722 votes or 38.51% against.
Woodland wasn’t the only district to pass a bond, as election results show that Esparto, Washington, River Delta, and Winters School Districts all passed their own facilities bond measures.
Incoming school board members who also won their campaign on Election Day were excited to be able to start their term with the public’s trust. Trustees are aware that while there will be more money to go around, it must be spent responsibly.
“I’m very grateful to the voters of Woodland for passing Measure Y,” said Area 4 trustee- elect Noel Rodriguez. “I understand we have a responsibility as a board to be transparent and be responsible in our use of taxpayer funds. I want to make sure we use the money wisely that the voters of Woodland so graciously gave us the opportunity.” Area 3 trustee- elect Bibiana Garcia shared the sentiments.
“I’m very proud,” Garcia said. “There were so many people who didn’t believe in it ( Measure Y) since it had been so long since a measure like that passed. I didn’t think it wouldn’t be easy. We were all surprised by the results.”
The bond passed despite heavy opposition by the Yolo County Taxpayers Association, which has fought against school bonds in Woodland previously.
The measure couldn’t have come at a better time, especially with coronavirus cases still trending upwards.
If students were to return to in- person learning, the air quality would need to be addressed.
In the Woodland District, there is over $ 10 million in unresolved HVAC- related expenses spanning over nine campuses, according to the 2011 Woodland Joint Unified School District Facility Master Plan.
At Whitehead Elementary, $ 35,000 was needed for new controls for their HVAC system. At Rhoda Maxwell Elementary, $ 142,436 was estimated for a multipurpose HVAC. Dingle Elementary School had a potential bill of $ 410,480 for a replacement HVAC at the permanent campus building, and Plainfield Elementary School needed around $ 539,140 to replace their HVAC throughout the campus,
Campus- wide HVAC interventions were and continue to be needed at Woodland Prairie Elementary for a cost of $ 1.33 million, SciTech Academy for a cost of $ 554,344, Douglass Middle School for $ 1.44 million, Woodland High School for a total of $ 4.25 million, and Cache Creek High School for $ 476,448.
It should be noted that these cost estimates given in the plan are nearly 10 years old and not an accurate estimation of current costs.
“The kids and teachers need adequate institutions,” Garcia said. “Us, as board members, must make the decisions as to how to properly allocate the resources via transparency and efficiency. The community will be very interested in how the money is used. “
“I’m very grateful to the voters of Woodland for passing Measure Y. I understand we have a responsibility as a board to be transparent and be responsible in our use of taxpayer funds. I want to make sure we use the money wisely that the voters of Woodland so graciously gave us the opportunity.” — Area 4 trustee- elect Noel Rodriguez