Four Contra Costa County school districts are seeking voter-approved funding for facilities and programs on Election Day.
Measure O asks Martinez Unified School District residents to authorize $90 million in bonds “at legal interest rates and levying approximately $38.40 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (raising $5.8 million annually) while bonds are outstanding,” the ballot says.
If adopted with a 55% majority of “yes” votes, Measure O would modernize and construct classrooms and school facilities in Martinez Unified School District. It would make health and safety improvements, construct career and technical education classrooms, and renovate facilities at Martinez junior and senior high schools and adult education facilities.
Passage of Measure O would also require a school board appointed citizens’ oversight committee and annual independent audits to assure proper expenditure of funds.
Measure P in the Pittsburg Unified School District is described on the ballot as a repair and safety measure “to repair, upgrade and expand local schools; fix leaky roofs; improve safety/security/accessibility for students with disabilities; update classrooms/labs for math, reading, writing, and science; and prevent student overcrowding” in the school district.
Measure P would authorize $140 million “in bonds at legal rates, levying a tax averaging $60 per $100,000 assessed value ($9,200,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding,” according to the ballot.
The measure, which requires a 55% percent of “yes” votes, would also come with independent oversight, no money for administrators, and all funds being used locally.
Measure Q asks voters to renew expiring local school funding, that can’t be taken by the state, for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.
The measure’s $6.8 million annually over nine years would be used to attract and retain “highly qualified teachers; support academic programs in science, technology, engineering, arts, math, reading, writing; and prepare students to compete for college/careers.”
Passing the measure would mean continuing the current $144 annual parcel tax at the same rate, with senior exemptions, independent oversight, and no funds for administrator salaries. Measure Q will pass with a two-thirds majority of “yes” votes.
Measure R in the Byron Union School District seeks to “repair/upgrade elementary and middle schools, including replace school well for safe drinking water; upgrade classrooms/ labs for science, technology, engineering, arts, math instruction; repair leaky roofs/ HVAC systems; upgrade school safety/ security systems.”
If passed with 55% of “yes” votes, Measure R would authorize $24 million in bonds at legal interest rates, levying $18 per $100,000 of assessed value, raising an average of $1.52 million annually while bonds are outstanding. The measure would come with independent oversight, audits, and all funds would be locally controlled.
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