Fresno Unified school trustees Wednesday took the first step toward putting a $256 million bond measure on next year's general election ballot to fund school construction projects.
The board voted 6-1 to direct staff to start preparations for the November 2010 ballot measure by agreeing to a recommendation from the community-based Facilities Ad Hoc Advisory Committee.
Ruth Quinto, Fresno Unified's deputy superintendent and chief financial officer, called it a preliminary step but said it doesn't mean the board has approved a ballot measure. "There is no measure until the board adopts a resolution in April or May 2010," she said before the meeting.
The approval directs staff to use district resources to start work toward the bond measure, including hiring bond counsel.
Trustee Carol Mills -- who cast the only no vote -- voiced concern over the cost to taxpayers. She said there is already talk of future ballot measures after this one, including in 2018.
"We are simply finding out if it is feasible," said trustee Janet Ryan.
The district's last bond was Measure K -- the $199 million measure was approved by voters in 2001 -- which added $50 for every $100,000 in assessed value to property owners' tax bills. Measure K provided money for upgrades to many of the district's aging schools, projects that are continuing.
Quinto said the timing of this new bond is meant to have as little impact on property owners as possible. She said it would take the place of the $50 bond assessment that will expire in 2010-2011. This one would begin in 2011-2012.
The new bond would help carry out projects identified under the district's facilities master plan -- the long-range vision approved in April that will balance enrollment and adjust school boundaries over the next 15 years. The bond would help pay for the first phase of the $940 million in capital improvements.
While the specific project list has not yet been identified, it will include new buildings on existing campuses, replacement of portable classrooms with permanent ones, new and improved athletic facilities and upgrades and new school construction in overcrowded southeast Fresno.
A planned southwest Fresno middle school -- which Quinto called "a critical component of the master plan" -- is not contingent on the bond. "We have other resources," she said.
The bond measure would require 55% voter approval to pass.
In a related matter, Fresno Unified expects to issue $23.9 million of general obligation bonds under its Measure K authority this month. The district is taking advantage of $41.4 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds being offered to the district at no interest. The federal economic stimulus funds are part of $8.8 billion allocated to 100 school districts nationwide that serve a high number of children under the poverty level. The federal government will pay the interest to bondholders in the form of a tax credit.
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