Paying taxes isn’t fun. But voters must support our schools by passing these bonds

Voters are being asked in the March primary to approve bonds worth $1 billion that would help six Fresno County school districts.

Money raised would pay for entirely new schools, as well as new classrooms, improved campus water systems, career-technical education labs, and bringing older classrooms into the digital age.

A homeowner or renter does not want to live in worn-out or crowded housing, so the same value should apply to schools, where children and teachers spend the bulk of their day. Even if a voter does not have school-age children at home anymore, the investment is a benefit to the overall community.

Bonds are the main way a local district can raise funds to build and renovate schools. In this case, the money can be used to match funding from the state if Proposition 13 passes.

The Bee’s Editorial Board recommends voters support school bonds in Fresno, Clovis, Parlier, Easton and Kingsburg.

How it breaks down

Here is a quick look at how the three largest districts — Fresno, Clovis and Central — plan to use bond money:

▪ Fresno Unified: The district wants to sell $325 million in bonds, its biggest-ever issue. Of that, $65 million would go to planning and building a new high school at Ventura Avenue-10th Street, the largest single project in the bond. The campus is planned to house online learning, independent study, career technical and alternative education. Also to be funded are new and renovated classrooms, gyms, cafeterias and libraries. Safety and security would be enhanced with new fencing and gates, cameras and emergency communication.

Property owners in Fresno now pay $188 in school assessments per $100,000 valuation. Measure M, if passed by the necessary 55 percent of voters, would hike that assessment to $213.

Fresno Unified is the state’s fourth-largest district, with more than 70,000 students. More than two-thirds of its schools were built before 1970.

▪ Clovis Unified: At $408 million, Clovis Unified has the largest local measure in the upcoming election. Thirty of its 50 schools are 25 years old or older, with many campuses built in the 1950s. Most of the money in this bond issue will go to construction. Among the projects to be tackled will be repairing and upgrading deteriorating science, engineering and math classrooms. The biggest items on the list are a new middle school-high school educational center, $250 million, and a new elementary school, $45 million.

The new bond issue, on the ballot as Measure A, will cost property owners between $25 and $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. (There is maneuvering room in the bond.)

▪ Central Unified:

Measure C will provide the district on Fresno’s westside with $120 million. Projects at 22 schools — like classroom renovations and upgrading air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems — will be undertaken. Key projects are the second phase of the badly needed new high school that began to be constructed last summer, as well as a new elementary school.

If the measure passes, property owners will see their taxes raise from $151 per $100,000 currently to $211 per $100,000.

Recommendation

Paying higher taxes is no one’s idea of fun. But denying schools funding for facility needs is not a smart idea. If local students are to be competitive for college or the job market, they need the best learning experiences they can have, including schools able to accommodate advanced technology and which are comfortable (meaning cool in August, warm in January). Many local campuses are old and getting older, and putting off renovations is just delaying the inevitable.

Helping K-12 students learn and perform better means improving their chances of getting into higher education. The bulk of Fresno State students stay in the Valley after graduation, meaning they put their learning to work right here. That improves the economy and culture of the whole region.

Much talk is being paid at the state level — including Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office — about how the Central Valley needs to be better supported so its economy and opportunities can expand. Local voters have their part to play in that, too. Backing the local school bond measures in the March primary is a key way to do just that. The Bee encourages voters to approve the measures.

This story was originally published February 14, 2020 at 5:00 AM.