Stanislaus Union to consider school bond

Board awaiting pollon tax to fix buildings

By MICHELLE HATFIELD
mhatfield@modbee.com

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Stanislaus Union School District trustees will hear Thursday night if voters would support an increase in property taxes to help fund renovation of the district's aging buildings.

Consultants performed a telephone poll of district residents in May to determine whether a bond on the November ballot would pass. They'll present those results, analysis and recommendations at the trustees' meeting.

Trustees are expected to discuss the issue, encourage public input and consider a tentative bond plan at their June meeting. A final decision will come at their July meeting.

The district enrolls about 3,200 northwest Modesto students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The bond money would be used to renovate some of the district's seven schools and build an administrative office. The bond would need 55 percent support from voters to pass.

For 18 months, schools have been studying their facilities needs, officials said, which include:

Repairing and replacing leaky roofs

Renovating old and deteriorating restrooms

Improving lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems

Upgrading safety standards, such as communication systems, security cameras and fencing

Providing computer and science labs

Improving fire alarm communications and other safety systems

Relieving crowding by replacing inadequate structures and building more classrooms

Adding athletic fields and playground areas

Trustees and consultants must take into account voter behavior during a slow economy, high foreclosure rates and a presidential election year.

The Stanislaus Union School District board of trustees meeting starts Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Agnes Baptist School multipurpose room, 1825 Cheyenne Way.

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.