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Friday, Jul. 18, 2008

Stanislaus Union bond to go to voters

Total is $65 million with state money and interest

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It's official -- voters living within Stanislaus Union School District's boundaries will be asked to approve $39.8 million in school bonds to help pay for facility renovations, safety improvements and technology upgrades.

The general obligation bonds will mean an increase in taxes of $30 for every $100,000 of assessed property value for Stanislaus Union residents.

Voters will decide the issue when they head to the polls in the November general election. Trustees approved the seven-page ballot proposition at their Thursday night meeting.

"This is an historical turning point for our district. It could be quite a legacy," Superintendent Wayne Brown said, explaining how much the possible upgrades would mean to district students, teachers and parents.

Board President Seth Parker added, "Hopefully this makes us better at what we already are -- a premier district."

Next up is finding volunteers to serve on a campaign committee that will try to inform and sway voters. Only the campaign committee, not the district, can advocate for the bond measure.

District staff has spent more than a year studying the district's facility needs. Input is needed from administrators, employees, parents and community members.

Results of a phone survey of 400 likely voters earlier this year showed nearly two in three respondents supported a bond that taxed them at the $30 for every $100,000 threshold. A school bond would need 55 percent support to pass.

The average assessed value of houses in the district is a little more than $200,000, said Dawn Riccoboni, the district's chief business official. The average homeowner would pay $60 a year if the bond passes.

Stanislaus Union has about 3,200 students in kindergarten through eighth grade at seven schools.

In addition to the $39.8 million raised from increased property taxes, the bond plan anticipates receiving $23.3 million in matching funds from the state and $1.9 million in interest, for a total of $65 million for construction, modernization and technology.

Major construction plans are adding classrooms to schools and building a district office at one of the district's campuses.

The district has three consulting firms helping it navigate the bond and election.

Anyone wanting to serve on the bond campaign committee can call the district office at 529-9546.

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