Vote yes on Measure M for local schools

Posted: 10:00 am, October 23, 2016 by Publisher Scott Brennan

-Editorial-

We urge you to vote “Yes” on Measure M to help pass a much-needed $95 million bond to improve schools in the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District.

Schools Superintendent Chris WIlliams has worked hard over the last two years and improved the financial condition of the district, which has a balanced budget and a reserve of 8-percent. Now it’s time to help him repair deferred maintenance at aging schools, replace portables with real classrooms, and prepare our children for the future with new science, technology, engineering, arts and math labs throughout the district. The 6,700 students of the Paso Robles district need your support.

Community support for Measure M includes rancher Dee Lacey, businessman Dale Gomer, winemaker Gary Eberle, pastor Steven Orduno, and county superintendent James Brescia, who all signed arguments in favor of Measure M for the ballot.

What Is Measure M?

Measure M is a $95 million general obligation bond that will be on the Nov. 8 election ballot. If approved, the measure will improve, construct, and rehabilitate classrooms and schools throughout the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District to meet the challenges of today’s rapidly changing world.

What is a general obligation bond?

General obligation bond bonds are commonly used by school districts statewide to fund projects such as the renovation of existing classrooms and the construction of new classrooms and facilities. Similar to a home loan, these bonds are repaid over a period of time. Funds to repay the bonds come from a tax on all taxable property – residential, commercial and industrial – located in the district.

What will be funded by Measure M?

The measure authorizes improvements and modernizations at Paso Robles Joint Unified School District facilities, including all 11 school sites:

• Constructing career technical and vocational education classrooms
• Undertaking basic health and safety improvements at schools and classrooms built decades ago – including one that is over 80 years old
• Repairing and replacing leaky roofs
• Installing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) labs at schools throughout the district
• Replacing aging portables with permanent buildings
• Retrofitting schools and classrooms for earthquake safety

Read a complete list of proposed improvements that would be assisted by bond funds on the district’s Facilities Master Plan.

Measure M imposes tough taxpayer protections

• Ensuring our local school projects are eligible for state matching funds
• Requiring independent citizen oversight and annual audits
• Prohibiting funds from going to administrators’ salaries, pensions, or benefits
• Imposing tough legal restrictions requiring all monies to be spent on our local schools
• Prohibiting the State from taking local bond funds and spending them in other districts

How much will Measure M cost?

The measure’s average tax rate is estimated to be $47.75 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per year, that’s $3.98 per month. Assessed valuation is not a home’s market value. Assessed valuations are the value placed on the property by the county at the time a property is sold or undergoes a major renovation. It is typically lower than market value.