THREE SCHOOL BOND MEASURES ARE ON THE BALLOT IN EAST COUNTY

Three East County school districts have bond measures on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters to approve borrowing millions of dollars to fund everything from the purchase of new equipment to upgrading outdated facilities. All will need 55 percent or better of the vote to pass.

All three measures have the support of the nonpartisan San Diego County Taxpayers Association.

At the Cajon Valley Union School District, Measure T asks voters to approve borrowing $125 million, but the total amount to be repaid over the 40-year life of the bond will be $240 million once interest is included. The money would be used to replace electrical wiring, increase internet access, upgrade fire alarms, improve student safety /campus security, and replace portables.

The bond is asking for $12.97 per $100,000 of assessed property value for repayment. Cajon Valley serves more than 16,000 students in El Cajon and some parts of Santee, Lakeside and Alpine.

In the March election, Cajon Valley Union School District voters rejected Prop. L, a $220 million bond measure. It failed with only 45.5 percent of voters in favor.

At the Dehesa School District, Measure U asks voters to borrow $3.1 million to improve student safety and campus security, renovate classrooms and educational facilities, increase internet access, and upgrade fire alarms and outdated electric wiring. The bond would require a tax rate of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value.

The Dehesa district serves about 150 students with one K-8 school campus. The campus has six permanent buildings and six relocatable buildings. Four permanent buildings were constructed more than 40 years ago, one more than 25 years ago and one in 2016.

According to its documents, the total debt service to be paid over the 30-year life of Measure U is about $5.8 million, including the principal and interest.

At the La Mesa-spring Valley School District, Measure V looks to repair old, outdated classrooms and school facilitiesby authorizing $136 million in bonds.

The bond is asking for $26 per $100,000 of assessed value for repayment.

The La Mesa/spring Valley School District covers 26 square miles and serves 12,061 students, with 21 schools. More than 86 percent of its schools are 50 years or older.

According to its documents, the total debt service for Measure V to be repaid over 34 years is about $260 million, including the principal and interest.

Measure V is the only East County school bond that had an official argument against it.

Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County, wrote that his rebuttal is provided for La Mesa-spring Valley residents “to think long and hard before imposing another property tax hike, costing taxpayers almost $8 million per year to take out a $136 million loan.”