2 of 3 school bond measures falling short

Shortly after polls closed Tuesday night, approval of three separate school bond measures in East County were getting mixed results in early returns. All three measures need 55 percent approval by voters to go into effect.

Measure T in the Cajon Valley School District

The measure will extend the current tax rate to authorize $125 million in spending for safety improvements and classroom repairs. If approved, the measure may also qualify the Cajon Valley School District for state matching funds. Shortly after the polls closed, the measures was trending just short of approval.

The San Diego County Democratic Party opposed Measure T; the Republican Party of San Diego County took no position.

Measure U in the Dehesa School District

The measure allows for $3.1 million in bonds to be used for upgrading campus security, fire alarms and electric wiring, renovate classrooms and increase Internet access. The measure was trailing after early returns came in.

Neither county Democrats nor Republicans took a position on Measure U.

Measure V in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District

Measure V will raise $136 million in bonds — funded through a levy of 2.4 cents per $100 in assessed value — to repair classrooms and school facilities, fix plumbing and electrical systems and upgrade classrooms and lab facilities. It was trending toward approval just after polls closed.

The Republican Party of San Diego County opposed Measure V; the San Diego County Democratic Party supported it.

Backers of the measure say none of the money raised by the bonds can be used for teacher or administrator salaries or pensions. But the county GOP said the measure would cost taxpayers almost $8 million per year.

Measures T, U and V each received the endorsement of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, a nonprofit think tank aimed at promoting cost-effective government, “because their districts have the most complete bond submissions that included adequate spending plans.”

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