District Seeks More Money to Renovate Schools

Just three years after voters approved a similar, , Millbrae School District leaders on Wednesday brainstormed the likelihood of voters approving millions of dollars more to fix deteriorating schools.

The measure would need 55 percent voter approval if the school district places it on a ballot during a regularly scheduled election, or 66 percent if it is a special election.

“A lot of the money [from Measure X] went to getting the schools up to standards on the new building codes,” said school board Clerk Jay Price. 

Now, the school wants to focus on renovating aging infrastructure, although the details have yet to be laid out.

“When buildings haven’t been upgraded for 30 or 40 years, it is not a safe learning environment for our children,” said board President Don Revelo.

And, it’s not just a safety issue. Making the buildings more energy efficient will save the district money in the long run, according to Connell Lindh, a local school district consultant.

Lindh would help the school district raise awareness of the bond measure in the community through direct mail and phone banking. He said parents in Millbrae only make up about 20 percent of the voters, and they don’t vote as often as seniors. 

Trustee Caroline Shea said some parents favor a parcel tax, but board members pointed out that it would bring in only about $400,000, barely making a dent in the needs of the schools.

Under state law, a measure cannot exceed $30 per $100,000 of assessed property value, raising about $30 million for Millbrae.

The district will finish construction from Measure X funds this summer by upgrading fire alarms, roofs, restrooms and installing wireless thermostats.

The wireless heating and cooling system will allow maintenance personnel to control all schools from a computer, as opposed to physically turning down every thermostat in each school building.

The board of trustees will meet again on May 11 at the city council chambers to further discuss the possible bond measure.