School Bond Measure Talks Start Again

The board's efforts to put a ballot measure before the voters are starting back up again.

A previous attempt to put a didn't happen because it hinged on whether Gov. Jerry Brown called for a special election in June, where he wanted three temporary tax extensions passed to close the $9.6 billion gap in the state budget. (Brown is still trying to get a special election but lacks the Republican support in the state Legislature.)

At the school board's meeting Wednesday, trustees brought up the issue once more and directed district staff to prepare a resolution for next month's meeting on whether to submit a bond measure to the county elections office for the November election. The July meeting will be the last opportunity for the board to make a decision about putting a measure on the ballot this year.

Dale Scott, a consultant working with the district on the ballot measure, said the cutoff date to file with the elections office is Aug. 12.

If a construction bond was put on the November ballot, it would need 55 percent approval from voters and could only be used on improving facilities and equipment. The funds would be available almost immediately if the measure passed, Scott said.

The board has also been talking about trying to get a parcel tax passed, but lack of support from the full board and community have stalled that conversation for the moment.