Measure M Aftermath and the Capo School District

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — In a letter to the Capo Unified School District, Amy Hanacek President of the Board discussed Measure M and the district's path the day after the election.

After the $889 Bond Measure that would have provided district school upgrades and repairs failed to pass, the district looks to how to move forward.

"This morning, as we do every school day, our Board of Trustees, Superintendent, teachers, administrators and staff greeted the day focused on the success of the 52,000 young people we serve," Hanacek said. "Our students are first and foremost the focal point of our work and our mission to prepare students to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world."

According to the Capo school district, there are over 4 million square feet of building space and inadequate funding we face serious facility challenges from leaky roofs, HVAC, plumbing and electrical issues, security and fire safety, insufficient classroom and bathroom spaces for overcrowded schools, classroom technology upgrades, access for special needs students.

"In order to address these critical facility needs and to support learning environments that best prepare our students for a competitive world, a majority of the Board of Trustees, including myself, voted to place Measure M on the ballot," Hanacek said. "This measure, like many in California, allowed voters to choose how they would like to invest in the education of their communities' children. Yesterday, the voters spoke and made it clear that they were not ready to make this investment at this time."

Opposition to the measure included Aliso Viejo's city council and the newly reelected Assemblyman Bill Brough.

"While these conversations continue, we are also forming additional layers of community oversight including the School Facilities and Finance Committee and the Community Facilities District Oversight Committee," Hanacek said.

Applications are being accepted through November 30, 2016 and can be found on our website at www.capousd.org.

"We value the participation of the communities we serve and look forward to ongoing conversations about school classrooms, campuses and funding. We respect your vote and look forward to continued engagement with you in the challenges we face as a community," Hanacek stated. "Together, we will find the answers to meet these challenges while we continue to have an unwavering commitment to every student's success."

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