SJUSD school board to vote on potential $950M bond measure for Nov. ballot

By Sara Beth Williams–
During a special meeting on Tuesday, the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education is scheduled to vote on whether to place a $950 million local bond measure on the November ballot.

School board members at the July 30 meeting will consider a recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 4144, “ordering an election to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds” in the amount of $950 million. The funds would be used for upgrading aging classrooms and restrooms, fixing leaking roofs, removing asbestos, lead, and mold, and upgrading safety and security measures according to the agenda packet. Funds would also go toward teacher retention efforts and attracting quality teachers.

Funding would come from property taxes, levied at $60 per $100,000 of assessed value, which would be collected until fiscal year 2054-55, according to an official estimate included in board documents.

According to the agenda packet, Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz, and Associates (FM3 Research) conducted a district-wide community survey of 648 likely voters from July 10 – July 15. Survey findings showed the proposed bond would draw 62 percent of likely “yes” votes and 32 percent of likely “no” votes, with 5 percent undecided and a margin of error of 4 percent.

When asked how San Juan Unified School District is doing at managing its finances, 23 percent of respondents rated that the district was doing a “good” or “excellent” job, and 43 percent said the district doing “poor” or “only fair” in managing finances. Another third of respondents, 35 percent, replied they didn’t know enough to rate the district’s financial management.

The district’s school board special meeting will be held Tuesday, July 30 at 5 p.m. at the San Juan Unified District Office, located at 3738 Walnut Ave., in Carmichael.

Public comment can be made in person during the board meeting. Comments are limited to two minutes per speaker.

Members of the public may submit written comments by using the comment form located on the district website, with written comments are limited to 1,500 characters. Board members can also be emailed directly: boardmembers@sanjuan.edu.

During the special meeting, public comment will only be permitted on the items currently listed on the agenda. Comments regarding other items should be submitted during the next regular board meeting scheduled for Aug. 13.

To place the measure on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot, the seven-member board must vote two-thirds in favor, and the measure must subsequently be approved by at least 55 percent of voters.

*This article has been updated to reflect the correct dollar amount of the bond measure of $950 million.