Measured approach
Two bonds could provide PUSD $64.4 million
The Porterville Unified School District has provided information on its Facebook page about the $33.4 million bond that will be placed on the March 3 ballot during the primary election for voters in the district to consider.
The bond measure, Measure L, which will be used for modernization and refurbishing projects in all of the district’s elementary and middle schools must receive at least a 55 percent approval for it to pass.
“Our classrooms and facilities need significant repairs and improvements,” PUSD stated on its Facebook page.the district also stated it’s faced with aging classrooms and the need to bring school facilities up to current standards.”
The general obligation bond works similar to a home loan and is paid over 25 to 30 years. It’s paid for by a tax on property in the district — residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial. For this bond, the area that would be taxed is located in the former Porterville Elementary
School District, so for example, Strathmore residents wouldn’t be taxed.
The cost of the bond to property owners in the district is estimated to be $36 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per year. The district noted the assessed valuation is based on the value placed on a property value set by Tulare County, which is lower than market value. A homeowner with a house valued at $200,000 would pay an additional property tax of $6 a month as a result of the bond.
As to why the district is placing Measure L on the ballot it stated: “Our elementary and middle schools are outdated, and major upgrades and renovations need to be made. Although facilities have been well maintained over the years, aging classrooms (some dating back to 1937) must be upgraded to meet 21st century standards. A local school improvement measure would allow the district to improve the quality of the school facilities and education provided to local children.”
As far as why the district can’t meet its facility needs within its current budget, it stated: “Today, the scope of improvements needed in the Porterville Unified School District are far more than the current funding sources available. The per-pupil funding which the District receives from the state is intended to be used for the day-to-day business of educating children and not the cost of upgrading, modernizing, and repairing facilities.”
The district stated the projects to be funded by the bond is based on input from staff, teachers, parents an an architect which led to the district creating a School Facilities Needs Analysis, which identifies major repairs and and upgrades that need to be made.
Projects that would be done include making schools ADA compliant; repairing or replacing leaky roofs; updated inadequate electrical systems; modernizing and added classrooms, restrooms and school facilities; and replacing deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems.
The district decided there wasn’t enough support to also include the high schools in the bond. While the district has determined at least 55 percent of the voters in the district have expressed support for the improvements in the elementary schools whether that many voters will actually vote for the bond is another matter.
The district went on to state: “Measure L will provide our students with a better learning environment by making repairs and upgrades to existing classrooms and school facilities; many of which are also used and available to the community such as the libraries and playing fields.”
Voters in the district will consider two bond measures on March 3. The state is also placing the largest school bond measure in its history — $15 billion — on the ballot. The bond is to specifically be used for modernization and renovation projects at current schools and not for new schools.
The district stated it would qualify to receive $31 million in state-matching funds from the state bond providing the district with a total of $64.4 million. But Measure L must be passed to receive the state funds.
The district stated if Measure L doesn’t pass: “Our classrooms and school facilities will continue to deteriorate.”
The district also stated funds that would otherwise go to classroom instruction would have to go to making safety repairs and improvements. The district added also stated major repairs would also have to be postponed, meaning they would be more expensive in the future.
The district also stated the $31 million that could go to the district would go to other districts if Measure L doesn’t pass.
A question always asked by voters is how do they know the district will actually use the bond for facility needs and not something else.
The district stated: “By law, all bond funds have to be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state.”
The district also stated an independent citizens oversight committee will be established to make sure the bond is used for facility needs.
“Also, by law, there must be annual audits,” the district stated. The district also stated no bond money can be used for teacher or administrative salaries or board member benefits.
TERRA BELLA
The Terra Bella Joint Union Elementary School District is also seeking a $5 million bond on the March 3 ballot.
The bond would also be used for making facilities in the district ADA compliant, modernizing outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities and repairing and replacing leaky roofs. The bond would generate $317,000 a year. Property owners would pay an addition tax of 3 cents per $100 assessed value.
The district also stated the use of the bond would be over seeen by citizens’ oversight.