California law permits school districts to issue bonds with the approval of 55 percent of the voters. Such bonds may only be used for construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities. These bonds are required to be paid by the levy of ad valorem taxes—a tax on the assessed value—of property within a district.
The Board of Trustees (Board) of the Cambrian School District (District) proposes to issue such bonds in the amount of up to $88,000,000 for the purposes of repairing and upgrading aging classrooms, science labs, school facilities, and instructional technology to support student achievement in math, science, engineering, technology, and art; repairing deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical, remove asbestos and lead pipes; and upgrading classroom technology and computers.
As identified in the Measure, projects may include but are not limited to:
- Modernize classrooms and labs to support high quality instruction in math, science, engineering, technology, music, visual and performing arts.
- Transform outdated libraries into modern learning centers.
- Creation of outdoor classrooms, seating and learning quad spaces.
- Repair or replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing hearing, air conditioning, ventilation, windows and electrical systems.
- Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes from older schools.
- Replace portable classrooms with modern, permanent classrooms.
- Upgrade older schools to meet current health codes, building safety codes, and provide proper access for students with disabilities.
- Improve student safety and campus security systems.
- Repair and upgrade children’s playground equipment and physical education facilities to meet current health and safety standards.
Projects costs include the costs of furnishing and equipping such facilities, and all cost that are incidental but directly related to the types of projects described in the Measure.
The Board has certified that it has evaluated safety, class size and reduction, and information technology needs in developing its project list.
Under the California Constitution, these bond funds cannot be used for teacher and administrator salaries or other school operating expenses. The District also must conduct independent annual performance and financial audits. State law requires the District to have an independent citizens’ oversight committee to help make sure bond funds are spent only for projects included in the Measure.
The District’s stated best estimate of the highest tax rate to be levied to repay the proposed bonds in $30 per $100,000 of assessed value. The District estimates that the total debt service during the life of the bond, including principal and interest, will be approximately $157,485,807.
Measure R was placed on the ballot by the board.
A “yes” vote is a vote to authorize the issuance of the bonds in the amount of up to $88,000,000 to be secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property located within the District.
A “no” vote is a vote to not authorize the issuance of the bonds.
