Board member Jenny Shumway tempered her previous opposition to the initiative, noting that the voters will ultimately decide the question. But she questioned how the proposal skyrocketed to $35-million when voters might be more inclined to approve $18-million and $26-million options that were rejected during Tuesday’s meeting.
“My concern is that this will perhaps be a deal breaker and that they’re going to see this number, the voters, and we’re going to lose it all,” Shumway said. “That’s a concern because the numbers that have kept going out are completely different than these numbers.”
Board Chairman Charlie Lucero said that the proposal escalated to $35-million because officials identified greater needs within the district as the configuration of the bond proposal has been considered in recent months. He said improvements added to the proposal include key infrastructure elements that are important to the district mission and the success of its 7,000 students.
“I just think they’re such important items. So we have to ask for them and let the public decide,” Lucero said. “It’s up to our community and it’s up to us to educate the public why we’re asking for this number and what the benefits are to the students.”
Board member Bruce Ricca said it will be very important to conduct an effective public information campaign to gain voter approval.
An $18-million appropriation to refurbish portions of the Palo Christi Elementary school campus is the most expensive component of the proposal. Another $14-million is earmarked for heating and cooling system upgrades throughout the district.
The bond proposal includes $2-million for installing keyless entry technology on district buildings, a security and safety enhancement. Separate $1-million allocations would improve La Senita Elementary school and purchase ten new school buses.
Finance Director Ahron Sherman said property tax impact of voter approval for homeowners would be $56.41 per year, per $100,000 assessed valuation should voters approve the bond. District taxpayers are still paying off the $80-million bond voters approved in 2006.
