$290 Million School Bond Measure Headed To Dublin Voters

DUBLIN, CA — During an hours-long special meeting held Monday, the Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to place a $290 million bond measure on the March 3, 2020 ballot. If passed by Dublin voters, taxes will increase $50 per $100,000 of assessed property value. The tax is expected to bring an average of $18,300,000 annually to the district.

During Monday's discussion, trustees also allocated $33 million for repairs at Dublin Elementary School. This includes $9.2 million from Measure C and $23.8 million from the Prop 51 State Matching Funds.

Revenue from the proposed bond measure will be used to update/modernize older schools, complete the second comprehensive high school and construct a middle school at Dublin Crossing, according to the ballot language. Additionally, priorities include work at Dougherty Elementary School to address facilities needs, technology upgrades, districtwide safety improvements, and funding for improvements at Cottonwood Creek.

Renovations to Nielsen Elementary School, which was a top-tier priority in the previous plan presented at the Nov. 12 board meeting, have been moved to a second-tier priority and will be part of ongoing discussions with the board regarding how best to meet elementary school capacity needs in the future.

In order for the bond measure to pass in March, at least 55 percent of registered voters who turn out must cast a "yes" ballot.

During the Nov. 12 board meeting, the trustees failed to move forward on the bond measure and the $33 million for Dublin Elementary.

A 2018 site assessment at Dublin Elementary conducted by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects found the following problems at the campus:

• Poor supervision from current administration location
• Aged and damaged hard-scape and lack of shade areas
• Accessibility: Path of travel needs significant upgrading
• Parking and drop-off is inadequate to meet current and future load
• Canopies need repair
• Need outdoor learning areas for the courtyard buildings
• Decaying exterior beams and roofing
• Window system and louvers are in poor condition
• Accessibility of restrooms need upgrading
• Library, administration, multi-purpose and other support services are too small
• Need of electrical service
• New mechanical units are needed in many locations