Successful School and College Capital Improvement Measures

December 9, 2005December 17, 2009 1180 Views Security and Safety

School Construction News covers some of the school and college capital improvement measures that were approved on the Nov. 2, 2004 ballot. They are alphabetized by state.

ARIZONA
School districts use bonds as-way to get additional money on top of what they receive from the Arizona School Facilities Board, the state agency responsible for building schools. School districts contend that the state fails to provide enough money to build schools, so bonds are a way to supplement state funding.

PASSED
BULLHEAD CITY – A $20.8 million high school bond for upgrades to two high schools in Colorado River Union High School District.

PASSED
CHANDLER – A $31.3 million bond package that includes $10 million for building renewal, $10.6 million for the construction of 60 classrooms, $6.1 million for additions, and $4.5 million to supplement state funding for new schools.

PASSED
SCOTTSDALE – A $217 million bond to rebuild four high schools, expand the cafeteria at Desert Mountain High School and buy buses.

PASSED
BUCKEYE – A $12.9 million bond will allow Liberty Elementary District to air-condition school buses, supplement state funding for new schools and buy playground equipment.

PASSED
APACHE JUNCTION – The sale of $49.9 million in capital bonds to make improvements to Unified School District 43’s facilities. Work includes two new learning centers and renovations on the Apache Junction High School campus. Funds would also be used to replace or renovate Four Peaks Elementary School. In the event the facility would be replaced, a new school could be built on land that the district already owns, adjacent to the current facility.

PASSED
PHOENIX – A $90 million bond, of which, $37.5 million is for new schools in the Deer Valley Unified School District.

CALIFORNIA
In 2002, California lowered the threshold for school-bond passage from two-thirds to 55 percent.

PASSING
YOSEMITE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (Measure E) – A $326 million general obligation bond measure for renovation and new construction at Columbia and at MJC’s east and west campuses. Improvements are due to include science and nursing laboratories, a parking garage on the MJC East Campus, and expanded satellite centers in Turlock, Patterson, Oakdale and Angels Camp. As of press time, results show Measure E passing districtwide with a 60 percent voter approval; a 55 percent “yes” vote is needed for passage.

PASSED
SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (Measure S) – A $135 million bond to replace or repair deteriorating buildings, construct and equip laboratories and meet new needs in emerging technologies. At least $25 million will be used for an instructional facility and field space in Malibu.

PASSED
OAKLEY – A $16.5 million bond measure for two new schools in the Oakley Union Elementary School District.

PASSED
YUBA CITY (Measure K) – A $25.67 million bond for school facilities.

PASSED
MARICOPA – A $6 million bond to finance upgrades and modernization at the elementary and high school. Work includes plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning and ventilation upgrades, as well as efforts to increase student access to computers and technology.

PASSED
ALHAMBRA – An $85 million bond for renovation and new construction at the district’s three high schools and two continuation schools.

PASSED
LOS ANGELES COUNTY (Measure Q) – A $30 million bond for Garvey Elementary School District makes it eligible for $73 million in state matching funds. Projects entail facility expansion/upgrades, including security, communications, heating/cooling systems, science labs, libraries and cafeterias, needed to improve student instruction and safety.

PASSED
LOS ANGELES COUNTY (Measure I) – South Whittier Elementary School District’s $7.5 million bond is to upgrade fire alarm systems, install security locks, improve outdoor security lighting, upgrade classrooms to meet current standards and upgrade electrical wiring for technology.

PASSED
LOS ANGELES COUNTY (Measure J) – A $50 million facilities improvement bond is the last leg in modernizing, upgrading and constructing facilities in the El Monte City School District. Work includes wiring for computers and other technology, lighting, climate control, restrooms, libraries, science and technology labs, satellite food preparation areas, gymnasiums and classrooms where appropriate and pick-up and drop-off zones.

PASSED
LOS ANGELES COUNTY (Measure E) – A $23 million bond to improve student safety, repair and upgrade every neighborhood school in Bassett Unified by fixing leaky roofs; upgrading outdated plumbing/sewer systems; installing fire safety equipment; upgrading heating/ventilation systems and electrical wiring for technology; acquiring school facilities the district is currently leasing; and repairing/constructing/equipping classrooms, libraries and facilities.

PASSED
CAYUCOS – A nearly $5 million bond that would revamp the aging local elementary school.

PASSED
FRESNO COUNTY – A $21 million bond measure to fund construction of a new school and upgrades to existing schools in Fowler Unified School District.

PASSED
COLLEGE OF MARIN – A $249.5 million facilities bond measure for the community college’s campuses in Kentfield and Novato.

PASSED
SAUSALITO-MARIN CITY – A $15 million bond for renovation and construction.

PASSED
PALM DESERT(Measure T) – A $122 million school bond, under which, the first project will be a K-8 school in Palm Desert. In the future, five new schools will be built to cut down on overcrowding.

COLORADO
Fifteen Colorado school districts asked voters to approve a record total of $1 billion in bonds on Nov. 2 to help revamp school buildings or build new ones, topping the $984 million in bonds sought in 2002, according to the Colorado Association of School Executives. According to CASE, 76 percent of districts won bond approvals in the last two presidential election years, up from a 64 percent approval rate during 1993-2003.

PASSED
JEFFERSON COUNTY – A $323.8 million bond for the state’s largest school district (R-1) to refurbish its aging schools.

PASSED
GRAND JUNCTION – Measure 3B, School District 51’s $109 million proposal to build three new schools (two elementary schools and a grades 8-9 middle school) and refurbish the mechanical systems and upgrade existing schools.

PASSED
PLATEAU VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT 50 – A property tax increase to add a competitive gymnasium with two practice courts and a separate theater/commons area for performing arts to Plateau Valley High School.

BOND PASSED, MILL LEVY OVERRIDE FAILED
COLORADO SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT 11 – Voters supported the $131.7 million bond portion but not the mill-override for capital improvements. The bond funds two new elementary schools, a 400-student addition onto Doherty High School, and renovation and remodeling of some open-concept elementary schools.

PASSED
THORNTON – A $190 million measure for four more schools and 41 other projects in Adams 12 Five Star Schools.

PASSED
ROARING FORK SCHOOL DISTRICT – An $86 million bond to build two new high schools and renovate several existing ones.

FLORIDA

PASSED
PALM BEACH COUNTY – A referendum to raise the sales tax by a half-cent on the dollar for the next six years to build new public schools and replace older buildings. The half-percent tax is projected ultimately to raise an estimated $560 million toward a $1 billion construction program. The plan includes opening or starting work on 14 new schools and 26 replacement schools and classroom additions at 27 schools, all during the next five years.

KANSAS

PASSED
TONGANOXIE – A $25.3 million bond issue for construction of a new middle school, and remodels and additions at existing schools.

PASSED
JEFFERSON COUNTY – A $9.9 million school bond issue to build a new middle school and two new gyms in the Perry-Lecompton school district.

PASSED
FRANKLIN COUNTY – A $25.9 million bond for a variety of improvements, including a new school in northern Ottawa, remodeling Garfield Elementary School, demolishing Lincoln Elementary School, and expanding the high school.

NEBRASKA

PASSED
STERLING – A $2.475 million bond issue to fund the construction of a two-story, grades 7-12 high school building and repair work the elementary facility.

NORTH CAROLINA

PASSED
CABARRUS COUNTY – An $82.2 million bond for schools.

PASSED
KANNAPOLIS CITY – A $12.5 million bond for schools.

PASSED
ROWAN – CABARRUS COMMUNITY COLLEGE – Three million for a new building.

PASSED
ALAMANCE-BURLINGTON – The $36.54 million bond package includes money for construction of classrooms at existing schools and new roofs and heating/air conditioning systems.

OHIO

PASSED
BIG WALNUT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – The 1.66 mills would raise $13 million for improvements that include a 13-classroom high school addition and land for a middle school but no money for school construction. Other funded improvements include security upgrades, roof repairs, computer upgrades, heating and cooling systems work, classroom enclosures and construction of a bus facility.

PASSED
CANAL WINCHESTER LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – Issue 96 is a 6.7-mill, 28-year bond issue to pay for $35.5 million in projects, including a new middle school for 900 to 1,000 students and an addition to Winchester Trail Elementary School.

PASSED
DUBLIN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT – Issue 98 is a combined 7.9-mill continuing operating levy and a $48.8 million bond issue. The bond issue generates funds to build a 12th elementary school while also funding a connector between Sells Middle School and the 1919 Building. Also included are a preschool room addition at Indian Run Elementary School, more room for middle school students, technology updates, general repairs and an expansion to the district transportation facility.

PASSED
REYNOLDSBURG CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT – The $20.9 million generated from the levy will fund construction of a new junior high school, the continued upkeep of current facilities and a land purchase for a potential second high school.

RHODE ISLAND

PASSED
PORTSMOUTH – A $3.5 million Portsmouth High School gym bond.

PASSED
BRISTOL/WARREN – A $22.8 million bond to build additions at three schools and enable the Bristol Warren Regional School District to renovate buildings that they say are in dire need of work.

PASSED
SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Referendum question 16, a $1.55 million bond that will go towards building a $3.1 million indoor community recreation facility behind Curtis Corner Middle School.

SOUTH CAROLINA

PASSED
RICHLAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO – A $175.5 million bond referendum to build four new schools and renovate others.

PASSED
LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE – A $113 million bond referendum to build five new schools (an elementary and middle school in the Lexington attendance area, an elementary school in the Pelion attendance area, and an elementary and middle school in the White Knoll attendance area) and to renovate and/or expand existing schools. A $5 million referendum to build or renovate high school football stadiums also passed.

TEXAS

PASSED
PASADENA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – A $299.88 million bond to build five new middle school (fifth and sixth grade) campuses and convert DeZavala and Morris into middle school campuses also. Two new elementary schools are planned. Five campuses will be replaced and classroom additions are slated for two high schools.

PASSED
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT BROWNSVILLE AND TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE – A $68 million bond proposal that will fund new facilities and upgrades to existing buildings. Of that amount, $28 million will be used for classrooms and parking; $14 million will be used for a new library in order to meet the growing demand; $17 million will be used for classrooms dedicated to Workforce Training and Continuing Education; $4 million will be used for an early childhood center where future teachers study childhood development and learning; and $5 million will be used to construct a center for the study and counseling of Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

UTAH

PASSED
WASHINGTON COUNTY – A $99 million bond issue to build eight schools and expand another in growing areas.

PASSED
WASATCH COUNTY – A $9.7 million bond to build one elementary and renovate another.

VIRGINIA

PASSED
LOUDOUN COUNTY – A $92.6 million school measure. Work includes building an elementary school in Brambleton and a middle school in the Dulles-Ashburn area, renovating the county’s four older middle schools and the 51-year-old Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, and buying land for future schools.

PASSED
ARLINGTON – A $78.1 million, four-part referendum to fund school construction, including a new Washington-Lee High School.

PASSED
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY – A $231.2 million bond for five new schools, including a replacement for Clover Hill High School, two elementary schools and two middle schools; 13 renovation or addition projects; and major maintenance projects. The total funding for schools is $269.8 million, including $231.2 million from bond funds and $38.6 million from other funding sources.

WEST VIRGINIA

PASSED
WOOD COUNTY – The $35 million school bond issue, along with $15 million from the West Virginia School Building Authority, will be used to renovate the county’s three high schools.

WISCONSIN

PASSED
PLYMOUTH – An $18.3 million referendum to repair and renovate the district’s six schools.