$33M For Dublin Elementary Fails, $290M DUSD Bond Measure Dies

DUBLIN, CA — Hours of impassioned discussion during the regularly scheduled Nov. 12 meeting of the Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees was centered on whether to allocate $33 million for improvements at Dublin Elementary School and whether to move forward on a $290 million school bond measure designed to: update/modernize older schools, complete a second comprehensive high school and construct a middle school at Dublin Crossing to relieve overcrowding.

Neither agenda item passed the divided board. Instead, the Dublin Elementary allocation was voted down, and the bond measure never made it to a vote.

For the $33 million in improvements at Dublin Elementary, DUSD staff had recommended that $23.8 million come from Measure H funding and $9.2 million from Measure C. Measure H was passed by Dublin voters in 2016, with more than 60 percent of those turning out voting in favor of a $283 million bond measure to "construct schools to prevent overcrowding; update aging classrooms/science labs; continue providing 21st century technology; ensure classrooms meet fire/safety codes, and improve energy/operational efficiency."

Measure C was passed by Dublin voters in 2004, with 73.2 percent of those turning out casting a "yes" ballot. Measure C was a $184 million bond measure that sought the same objectives as Measure H.

Board members Amy Miller and Megan Rouse voted in favor of allocating funds to Dublin Elementary, while members Dan Cherrier and Gabrielle Blackman voted against. Given the 2-2 tie, the item failed to pass. Board member-elect Catherine Kuo (who will be sworn in December 17) indicated she would have voted against allocating the funds.

After the Dublin Elementary allocation failed, a presentation from staff on the $290 million school bond measure was next on the Nov. 12 meeting agenda. The measure would have asked Dublin voters if they would be willing to be taxed $50 per $100,o00 of assessed property value to "update/modernize older schools, complete the second comprehensive high school and construct a middle school to relieve overcrowding ... ."

The bond measure was anticipated to raise an average of $18,300,000 annually.

The board opted not to take a vote on the bond issue, and it's unclear whether it will take up the measure at a future date.

However, improvements for Dublin Elementary are expected to come up again at a future date. In a statement issued Thursday, the DUSD said, "The district will address this issue again once directed by the board."

The Dublin Teachers Association, which is the association for Dublin Unified School District's Certificated staff, gathered at Dublin Elementary School Thursday. In a statement issued Monday Nov. 18 on its Facebook page, the DTA wrote:

Since Tuesday evening Dublin Teachers Association has been working diligently in collaboration with community members from across the district and colleagues at all 12 of our school sites in an effort to both support and raise community awareness for the Dublin Elementary community. Thank you to everyone who has sent messages - reached out as to how to support and for the acknowledgement that what needs to happen for the betterment of all students. That is a positive aspect of these challenging times.
While we have been addressing this, we have also been faced with some unruly slander from members of the community both as personal attacks and in statements about the work of the certificated Labor Union. While we may differ in opinion from members of the board of trustees and members of their respective constituents, not once have we deterred our commitment and focus from advocating for #AllStudentsALLSchools.

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