• Citizen’s Oversight Committee Report for year ending June 30, 2023

• COC Agenda for Measure L – Sept. 6, 2023

• COC Agenda for 10-5-22

• 2021-12-01 CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING MEASURE L BOND

• COC Aug. 5 agenda for Measure L

• COC May 26 agenda for Measure L (1)

• COC Measure l Expenditure Summary thru 4-30-20 (1)

Measure L is a $59.2 million general obligation (G.O.) bond program.  The measure is intended to address the needs of the student population through new construction, modernization and renovation projects at the District’s elementary and middle schools.

Our schools have been well maintained over the years with major construction and renovation projects recently.  Since 2014, the District built a new school to reduce overcrowding and addressed the most critical renovation and modernization projects facing the district including:  upgrades to inadequate electrical systems; providing new heating and air conditioning systems; installing new portable classrooms; making health and safety improvements and handicapped accessibility upgrades; and modernizing classrooms, kitchens, multipurpose rooms, and campus grounds. (for more detail on the completed projects, visit the District’s webpage Click Here.

Our work is not done though.  Today, the average age of our oldest schools is nearly 60 years old.  Rio Plaza Elementary, the oldest, was first built in 1954. Measure L will allow the District to “finish the job” and complete the next round of classroom and facility projects.

Over the last couple of years with input from staff, teachers, parents, and community leaders, the District has prepared a School Facilities Needs Analysis.  The Needs Analysis identifies the major repairs and upgrades that need to be made.

Specific projects identified include:

• Making security and safety improvements
• Providing heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems to classrooms that are currently lacking
• Improving student access to computers and modern technology
• Renovating or constructing school libraries
• Constructing new classrooms to accommodate growth

G.O. bonds fund projects such as the renovation of classrooms and school facilities, as well as construction of new schools and classrooms.  Similar to a home loan, G.O. bonds are typically repaid over 30 years. The loan repayment comes from a tax on all taxable property – residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial – located within the District’s boundaries.

Today, the scope of improvements needed at the Rio Elementary School District is far more than the current funding sources available.  The per-pupil funding which the District receives from the state is intended to be used for the day-to-day business of educating children and not for major upgrades, renovations, and modernization projects or new classrooms and facilities.

Measure L will provide our students with a better learning environment by making repairs and upgrades to existing classrooms and school facilities; many of which are also used by and available to the community such as the libraries and playing fields.

If Measure L does not pass, our classrooms and school facilities will continue to be overcrowded and with time will continue to deteriorate.  In addition, funds that would otherwise go to classroom instruction will be needed to make critical improvements at each school. Postponing these upgrades until later will potentially cost more.

The tax rate per property owner is estimated to be $27 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per year, or less than $2.50 per month. (Do not confuse assessed valuation with market value.  Assessed valuations are the value placed on property by the County and are almost always lower than market values). Check your property tax statement for your current assessed valuation.

By law, all bond funds have to be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state.  In addition, a local independent citizens’ oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond funds are properly spent.  Also by law, there must be annual audits of expenditures and no bond money can be used for teacher or administrative salaries.