Pleasanton Schools: Voters To Decide $323M Bond Measure

PLEASANTON, CA — In March, Pleasanton voters will be asked to decide whether they want to support a $323 million bond measure aimed at improving local schools.

During its regularly scheduled board meeting Tuesday, the Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place the $323 million general obligation bond on the March 3, 2020 election ballot.

If voters pass the measure, it would result in a tax of $43.10 per $100,000 of assessed value for Pleasanton property owners. The measure requires a 55 percent approval from Pleasanton voters to pass.

Measure I1, which was passed by Pleasanton voters in November 2016, provided $270 million toward school upgrades, but additional bond dollars are needed, according to a district staff report.

"Although improvements are planned at many of Pleasanton’s school sites, some of school facilities were built nearly 70 years ago and require updates to meet today’s standards," the district said in a released statement Wednesday. "The district’s 2018 Facilities Master Plan identified $839 million in additional repairs and upgrades needed in our schools."

The bond project list includes the modernization of existing science labs, upgraded school pick ups/drop-offs to address safety and school-related traffic, the replacement/modernization of high school gyms, facilities projects to add capacity to address enrollment growth, upgraded play structures and fields at school sites, as well as new and/or modernized high school theaters, according to the PUSD.

The bond measure that will be put to voters includes the following language:
“To upgrade/construct classrooms and facilities to support science, technology, engineering, math, arts/music and accommodate growing student enrollment; improve safety/security systems; replace aging roofs, plumbing/electrical/HVAC systems; and improve access for students with disabilities; shall Pleasanton Unified School District’s measure be adopted, authorizing $323,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, raising approximately $21,300,000 annually with rates averaging $43.10 per $100 of assessed valuation while bonds are outstanding, with independent oversight, audits, and no money for administrators?”

The bond measure will be filed by December 6, 2019, with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters and the Alameda County Clerk to be included on the March 3, 2020 ballot. A campaign committee will be formed of community members to handle all campaign related activities, the district said.

The complete project list and approved bond resolution is available on the District website at www.pleasantonusd.net.