Central Unified narrowly approves $152 million bond measure

Published online on Wednesday, Jun. 04, 2008

Voters in Porterville put their trust in God on Tuesday, while in other Valley communities voters passed measures to build new schools.

The rapidly expanding Central Unified School District in northwest Fresno will construct four new schools, while tiny Stone Corral Elementary School on the outskirts of Visalia will have money for much-needed updating.

But the most unusual measure before central San Joaquin Valley voters was in Porterville, where community members approved a new official motto: "In God We Trust."

Results are unofficial.

Central Unified school bond

Voters narrowly passed a $152 million school bond measure in the fast-growing Central Unified School District.

The measure, which required 55% approval to pass, passed with 56%.

Measure E will build another high school and middle school and two new elementary campuses. The bond also will be used to upgrade technology at all campuses and refurbish older schools, including adding libraries and cafeterias.

Property owners will have to pay a maximum of $60 a year per $100,000 of assessed value.

"We're very, very excited," said Central Unified Superintendent Marilou Ryder.

"I just think it's going to make the difference for this district for years to come."

Measure E maps out $230 million in projects -- with $80 million in matching funds from the state -- to be completed over the next 10 to 12 years.

Backers said the bond was essential to keeping up with growth in the district, where enrollment has skyrocketed by 20% since 2003, to 14,195 students. The 88-square-mile district is centered in northwest Fresno, mostly west of Highway 99.

Kerman school bond

Voters approved a $24.9 million bond measure in the Kerman Unified School District that will build an elementary school, vocational and technical education classrooms at Kerman High School, a multipurpose room at Liberty Intermediate School and finance other classroom improvements.

Measure K, which required 55% approval to pass, received 64%. The bond will cost property owners $53 per $100,000 of assessed value a year.

West Hills Community College District bond

Community members in the northern portion of the West Hills Community College District approved the $11.8 million Measure Q, which will finance improvements to the district's Firebaugh center, a remodeled bowling alley.

The measure, which required 55% approval, received 74.3%. Property owners will have to pay $19.85 per $100,000 of assessed value.

"We're very excited," said Willard Lewallen, president of West Hills College, Coalinga.

"It looks like we delivered the right message to folks. I think they believe in what we're doing."

The West Hills district has a main campus in Coalinga with satellite campuses in Lemoore and Firebaugh.

The bond will provide money for constructing classrooms and buildings, buying land and improving energy efficiency and access to computers and technology in Firebaugh and the northern section of the college district.

Porterville's official motto

Porterville residents overwhelmingly approved a measure making "In God We Trust" the town's official motto.

The measure received 83% voter support.

"This is a confirmation of what our constituents have empowered us to do," Council Member Eddie Hernandez said Tuesday night.

The motto idea began with Council Member Pedro "Pete" Martinez. He presented the concept to the council in November, which voted to place it on the ballot.

Felipe Martinez, Porterville's mayor pro tem, said the council's support of the motto is a reflection of the community's various religious faiths.

Jerry Waller, who was seeking a seat on the council Tuesday, opposed the measure. Waller, a Christian, is concerned the new motto could prompt lawsuits.

Stone Corral bond measure

Voters passed a bond measure that would fund $715,000 for improvements in the Stone Corral Elementary School.

Measure F had 20 "yes" votes to 15 "no" votes. The "yes" votes represented 57% voter support.

The measure required 55% voter approval for passage.

The district has about 120 registered voters, Superintendent Robert Aguilar said. Residents in the district boundary will pay about $24 annually per $100,000 of assessed property value, he said.

Lindsay public safety tax

A measure for a three-quarter-cent sales tax increase in Lindsay to boost public safety failed, receiving just 28% of the vote.

A simple majority was needed to pass Measure G.

The $400,000 to $450,000 was expected to be raised annually by the additional tax would go into the city's general fund.

City officials say they would have used the money to hire more law enforcement officers or firefighters.

Similar measures passed in other Valley cities, most recently in Reedley, Sanger and Selma, specifically earmarked the tax increases for additional police officers, firefighters and equipment, which requires two-thirds approval.

Lindsay's sales tax would have risen to 8% starting Oct. 1.