Vote Yes On
Measure A
Safe & Updated La Verne and San Dimas Schools
Measure A is a Bond Measure that would provide the Bonita Unified School District with access to locally controlled funding. These funds are needed to maintain and update neighborhood school facilities in an effort to keep students safe and maintain high-quality educational environment.
If approved by local voters, the measure could provide up to $256 million in school funding to:
-
Remove hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead paint
-
Update science labs/classrooms/equipment to help prepare students for in-demand careers in health-sciences, technology, and engineering
-
Upgrade school security and fire safety systems, including fire alarms and smoke detectors.
-
Repair and upgrade leaky roofs, gas & sewer lines, and deteriorating electrical systems/wiring
Why Yes on A?
The Bonita Unified School District is an award-winning district, with state and national recognition for academic
achievement and early literacy. Our quality neighborhood schools strengthen our community and protect property values.
While our schools are well cared for, they are now 35–125 years old and need repairs and updates to meet today’s
health, safety, and educational standards.
Roof leaks, heating and air conditioning systems are over 40 years old,
plumbing systems are more than 55 years old, and some science classrooms haven’t been updated in 30 years.
During the first week of school this year, 11 of the district’s 13 air conditioning systems failed, leaving students to
learn in hot classrooms during a Southern California heat wave .
Updating our schools now is a cost-effective investment that will help attract and retain quality teachers and ensure
students can focus on learning in safe, comfortable classrooms.
Why does the BUSD need access to additional funding?
HEATING, VENTILATION, AND COOLING SYSTEMS
We need to replace 40-year-old air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems. During the first week of school this year, 11 of the district’s 13 air conditioning systems failed, leaving students to learn in uncooled classrooms during a heat wave.
SCHOOL FIRE ALARM AND SECURITY SYSTEMS
Our campuses need updated smoke detectors and fire alarm systems. Only 15% of BUSD facilities currently have security systems.
BUILDINGS AND UTILITIES
We need to remove hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead paint. Repairs and upgrades are needed for leaky roofs, gas & sewer lines, and deteriorating wiring, and electrical systems.
CLASSROOMS AND LABS
BUSD students need updated science labs/classrooms/equipment to help prepare them for in-demand careers in health sciences, technology, and engineering.
By average 1 out of 3 classrooms in BUSD are portable classrooms. Many of these "temporary" buildings are now approaching 50 years of service.
So what does this all cost?
-
If approved by voters, Measure A would generate $256 million in locally controlled school funding.
-
Cost to property owners would be $59 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value annually, for as long as bonds are outstanding.
-
The average homeowner in the District would pay less than $1/day.
-
The cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of properties. The assessed value of a property is based on the original purchase price and may not increase by more than 2% a year, while the market value tends to grow at a much faster rate based on market conditions. Thus, the assessed value is usually lower than the market value, especially if a property was purchased long ago at a much lower price than it could be purchased for today. It is this lower assessed value upon which the cost of a bond measure is based.
What are these funds paying for?
-
All funds stay under local control of BUSD, and cannot be taken by the County, State, or Federal government.
-
These funds are strictly for BUSD campuses and facilities
Who's making sure this money is being used appropriately?
-
Measure A creates a Citizens’ oversight committee, independent audits, and annual public reports ensure funds are spent as promised.
-
No funds can be used for administrator salaries or pensions.
