HUSD hopes to upgrade school facilities with Measure G

HOLTVILLE — In an effort to provide the best facilities for its students and community, Holtville Unified School District placed Measure G, a $10 million general obligation bond program intended to address the district’s growing needs, on the upcoming Nov. 6 ballot.

The proceeds from the measure will be used to make health and security upgrades at district sites and to modernize and renovate classrooms, restrooms and school facilities.

A priority list for the measure constructed by the district board and school staff include:

• A new gym/ multipurpose room for school and community use at Holtville Middle School — estimated at $3.675 million.

• Athletic field lighting for school and community use at HMS to benefit local Little League, Pop Warner, soccer leagues and Holtville High School team practices — estimated at $250,000.

• A new cafeteria/gym/ multipurpose room for school and community use at HHS — estimated at $4.2 million.

• A Student Services modular building at Pine School to increase counseling and speech therapy services — estimated at $150,000.

• Modernizing and renovating classrooms and offices at Finley School to increase school safety — estimated at $1 million.

The district explained in a fact sheet it does not receive any additional or special funding for school facilities.

“With the continuous deterioration of the district’s facilities and the use of outdated equipment, the educational opportunities for our students are being drastically limited,” the fact sheet said. “Approving Measure G would allow the district to improve the quality of the school facilities and education provided to local children.”

A general obligation bond, such as Measure G, is a tool that school districts use to fund construction projects. Similar to a home loan, a GO bond is paid over a 25- to 30year period.

The funds to repay the bond will come from an increase in property taxes on the properties within the school district’s boundaries.

HUSD plans to issue bonds that would increase property taxes by $40 per $100,000 of assessed value per year.

The assessed value of a property is based on the County of Imperial’s valuation, which is usually lower than the market value.

For example, a homeowner whose house is assessed by the county at $100,000 would pay an extra $40 per year, or $3.33 per month, in property taxes.

The fact sheet explains that HUSD plans to issue bonds because its current budget only covers everyday operations, such as maintenance, grounds and custodial, and does not provide the amount needed for construction.

Currently, no other funding is available from the state’s two primary program, Modernization, a program used to upgrade all Holtville schools from 2003 to 2007, and New Construction, a program tied to enrollment growth.

“Even if Holtville does grow and qualify for state funding, California requires matching funds,” the fact sheet stated.

Holtville residents are currently paying on one bond measure, which was $8 million from the 2002 election.

Bond elections provide a total authorization amount, however, the district can only issue up to the legal tax rate. For that reason, the bond is broken up into different issuances as the tax base grows.

For example, the 2002 bond had an initial issuance in 2003 of $2.5 million, a second issuance of $3 million in 2005 and a third issuance of $970,000 in 2007.

Holtville’s bond tax rate is the lowest of all unified districts in the county. As of June, Holtville’s rate for the 2002 bond is roughly $52 per $100,000 of assessed value per year.

In comparison to other local unified district rates:

• San Pasqual: $176.09

• Calipatria: $146.80

• Calexico : $98.60

• Imperial: $95

If Measure G passes, HUSD would still be the lowest unified school district bond tax rate at approximately $92 per $100,000.