After a Central Unified school bond measure failed by 16 votes in June, proponents stepped up efforts in hopes of convincing voters to approve a similar initiative in November.
Since June, however, the economy has spiraled downward, making a bond-measure property tax increase a harder sell. And Central District farmers who opposed the June bond measure hope to block this initiative as well.
Measure B, on the Nov. 4 ballot, would generate $152 million and cost property owners in the district a maximum of $60 per $100,000 of assessed value a year. The bond would be paid off in 20 years.
Curtis Rindlisbacher, a district parent and Measure B committee treasurer, acknowledged that the poor economy might deter voter support. But he said passing the bond is essential.
"I think our voters, particularly in Central Unified, understand that an investment in education will have long-term benefits for our community," Rindlisbacher said.
The Central Unified School District, a mix of urban and rural areas generally west of Highway 99, has grown since 2003 by 20% to about 14,000 students. District officials, expecting an additional 4,000 students by 2013, say they need the bond measure to finance more schools.
The district includes 88 square miles, from the San Joaquin River to as far south as American Avenue and as far west as Sycamore Avenue.
Opponents said that Measure B includes some projects that should be postponed because finances are tight for many district residents.
"I don't know how many people are going to vote themselves a tax increase at this time," said farmer Larry Diel, an opponent.
He said that it's unfair for farmers, who own large amounts of land, to pay for growth driven by developers.
Farmer Keith Koligian, son of the late Daren Koligian for whom Central Unified's new stadium is named, also opposes Measure B. He said the district failed to complete projects that Measure K, passed in 2004, was supposed to pay for.
Central Unified officials have said escalating costs and other issues left the district short of money to finish Measure K projects.
Opponents have also said that the district made a deal with developers; if they helped finance the Measure B campaign, the board would reduce developer fees, levied by school districts to help pay for school remodeling or construction.
Developers were the biggest contributors to the campaign for Measure E, which failed in June, and also have been so far for Measure B. Campaign records show that the Measure B committee has raised $209,514, with most contributions from builders and related businesses. The campaign also received a $15,000 contribution from Piper Jaffray, under contract with the district for financial services.
The opposition, Central Taxpayers for Responsible Government, has raised $2,580.
But no deal was struck with developers, the district says.
Mike Berg, chief business officer for the district, said that developer fees likely would go down from $4.70 a square foot for new residential construction to perhaps $2.97 a square foot if Measure B passes. The district would be required by law to recalculate the fees if a bond passes, Berg said.
Despite the opponents' campaign and tough economic times, Berg and others were optimistic that the bond measure will pass this time. Berg said pollsters have not found that the poor economy was undermining support.
"We didn't lose any ground," Berg said.
It's unclear how the economic climate will affect the Central bond, said Jeff Cummins, an assistant professor of political science at California State University, Fresno. But he said that in general, such school bonds pass at a "fairly high rate."
Central Unified's bond requires 55% approval to pass.
Measure B calls for $230 million in projects, with $75 million coming from matching state funds. Projects would be completed over the next 10 to 12 years.
Plans include two elementary schools, likely at Clinton and Valentine avenues and Sierra and Constance avenues, as well as a variety of improvements at existing elementary schools that include new multipurpose buildings at some campuses.
The bond would finance a high school, middle school and service center -- including district offices -- at the Koligian Educational Center at Grantland and Ashlan avenues. The center already includes a new football stadium and transportation center.
The list of projects -- which the money must be spent on -- also includes new facilities for the Pathways Community Day School and Pershing Continuation High School and a compressed natural gas fueling station for buses.
The money also will be used to replace antiquated heating and cooling systems, improve access to the Internet, renovate restrooms and improve security. Central High West Campus has the longest list of projects, with $15 million worth of work planned.
Rindlisbacher said the committee has increased efforts this time around to spell out what projects the bond money will pay for. The committee has sent out a number of mailers and made sure information has been conveyed at various community meetings.
"I think there's a lot of enthusiasm," Rindlisbacher said.
A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. We encourage a free and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect, but any post that violates someone's right to use and enjoy fresnobee.com is prohibited. Before you post, please read the terms of use and obey these simple guidelines.
Here are the ground rules:
Contents of this site are © Copyright The Fresno Bee. All rights reserved.
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@