SPUSD considering school
bond vote next June
October 28, 2015
By Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula News
The Governing Board of the Santa Paula Unified School District is looking at the feasibility of putting a bond measure on the ballot next June.
Before the bond measure, the board would create a school facilities improvement district (SFID) comprised of only the voters that reside within the boundaries of the old Santa Paula Elementary School District.
Consultant Jon Isom made a presentation to the board at last week’s regular meeting. He presented results of a survey conducted earlier this month, where 328 voters in the SFID were contacted. One of the questions presented was “How would you rate the quality of education provided by the Santa Paula Unified School District?” The results were, Excellent-9%, Good-35%, Fair-31%, Poor-16% and Don’t know-9%.
Another question asked about support for a $36,900,000 school improvement bond measure. According to the results 72% of those contacted indicated they would vote yes on such a measure. Only 18% said they would vote no. Of all the possible projects presented in the survey, air conditioning garnered the most support at just under 80%.
When told the proposed measure would cost property owners $59 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per year, 58% responded that they would be more likely to vote yes. When asked the same question but told it would be $5 per month for each household the response was 66% yes. They were also asked how they would feel about $49 per $100,000 assessed valuation or $39. They both received more favorable responses
Voters were asked if the election were held today would you vote yes or no? According to Isom 74% said they would vote yes. Only 17% said no. June 2016 likely voters indicated a 68% favorable vote. November likely voters showed an 87% level of support.
In addition to the SPUSD bond measure, the City of Santa Paula is considering a sales tax increase measure. Voters were asked, “If the election were held today and both measures were on the ballot how would you vote?” Support for both measures had only 34%, while the SPUSD measure also showed 34% support. The city measure had only 7% favorable support. The same question was asked about the possibility of a State bond measure on the ballot at the same time. The results were much the same with 31% support for both measures and 37% for the SPUSD measure alone.
Summarizing the survey results Isom told the board that, of all the bond projects listed, except one, received over 70% voter support. He noted that all three tax rates tested ($59/$49/$39) received over 55% voter support. He also said the survey shows that there is over 55% voter support for a bond measure from both June of 2016 likely voters and November, 2016 likely voters. He recommended the district continue to reach out to and educate the community to increase support and to plan on placing a bond measure on the June, 2016 ballot.
If the board moves forward they will likely begin formation of a School Facilities Improvement District next month. In January, the board would adopt a resolution calling an election. The deadline to submit a resolution to call an election is February 1. The district needs a favorable vote of 50% plus one to pass the bond.
