Voters to see $950M bond measure for SJUSD on November ballot

By Sara Beth Williams–
The San Juan Unified School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of placing a $950 million facilities improvement bond on the Nov. 5 ballot.

All seven members voted during a special board meeting held Tuesday, July 30, with board members Tanya Kravchuk (Area 5) and Zima Creason (Area 3) participating via telecommunication. Following Tuesday’s vote, the bond measure will be presented on the Nov. 5 ballot to voters within the San Juan Unified School District.

“The quality of our facilities impacts our students’ ability to learn and thrive,” San Juan Unified School District Superintendent Melissa Bassanelli said in an email to The Sentinel Wednesday. Bassanelli added that the district is proud to hold a “strong record of being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers” and that the district is excited for “much needed improvements” across the district.

Prior to the vote, several San Juan district schoolteachers commented during the special meeting on the positive impacts bond funding has had in securing needed improvements to various schools in the district. School Board President Pam Costa said in an email that during her 12 years on the board, she has seen “firsthand, the positive changes” school modernizations have had on district students, staff, and communities.

“As a parent, I’m excited about the opportunity to rebuild aging schools and make sure our kids are provided with safe, modern classrooms to help them succeed in college or career,” School Board Member Ben Avey told The Sentinel Wednesday.

If the bond measure is passed by voters in November, the $950 million in funding would be used across the district for upgrading aging classrooms and restrooms, fixing leaking roofs, removing asbestos, lead, and mold, and upgrading safety and security measures. 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.

To pass, the measure must be approved by at least 55 percent of voters.