Grossmont Union to Seek Voter Approval for $128M Bond Measure This November

EL CAJON, CA — The Grossmont Union High School District Governing Board approved placement Aug. 4 of a General Obligation Bond on the Nov. 8 ballot.

GUHSD is seeking at least 55 percent voter approval in order to issue bonds of $128 million that, according to a Board resolution, would be used to:

• Upgrade East County high school classrooms, labs and facilities;
• Repair aging roofs, plumbing and electrical systems;
• Modernize technology infrastructure;
• Improve student safety and security;
• Replace deteriorated portables;
• Construct new school facilities to accommodate growth; and
• Renovate career training facilities for instruction in science, technology, engineering, math and skilled trades.

The Board resolution also states that the bonds would be issued at legal interest rates, have independent citizen oversight, annual audits, no funding for administrator salaries and all money would benefit East County high schools.

The cost of the bond measure would be $31 annually for the average district taxpayer household over 25 years.

The district, which encompasses the cities of El Cajon, Santee and Lemon Grove, most of the city of La Mesa, a small portion of the city of San Diego, and the unincorporated areas of Alpine, Dulzura, Jamul, Lakeside and Spring Valley, consists of nine comprehensive high schools, two charter schools, one continuation high school, two alternative education sites, four special education facilities, a middle college high school program, a Regional Occupational Program and an adult education program.

According to the Board resolution, district voters in 2004 approved Proposition H, allowing the district to issue $274 million in bonds, which were all issued and funded improvements to schools.

In 2008, district voters approved Proposition U, allowing the district to issue $417 million in bonds. Since then, $288 million in bonds have been issued to fund improvements to schools; however, the district is currently unable to issue the remainder of Prop. U bonds because of the limited tax rate of such bonds until the assessed value of the property in the district increases which is projected to take a number of years, according to the Board resolution.

But, because each bond measure has a separate tax rate, a new bond authorization would allow the district to deliver needed improvements to its school facilities, the resolution states.

More information about the bond measure is available by clicking here.

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