Measure B

The Measure B is a $78.0 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. Some schools in the district are new or fully modernized, while others are the same as they were when built over 50 years ago. We need to provide equity among our schools to give all children an equal chance to succeed.

Over the last several years with input from staff, teachers, parents, community leaders, and an architect, the District has prepared a School Facilities Needs Analysis. The Needs Analysis identifies the major repairs and upgrades that need to be made. In addition, a community survey was conducted to obtain voter opinions on specific projects and to gauge support for a school improvement measure. To provide equity among all schools, Measure B will:

• Make security and safety improvements
• Renovate outdated plumbing and sewer systems
• Construct classrooms, a new library, multi-purpose room and/or gymnasium
• Modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms, and school facilities
• Upgrading inadequate electrical and HVAC systems

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.

In 2022, District voters passed a school improvement measure to modernize, upgrade, and renovate many of our local classrooms and school facilities. Today, we need to finish the job by completing projects and improving safety and security throughout the District, with a focus on Rio Plaza (built in 1954) and Rio Real (built in 1958) Elementary Schools. Although well maintained over the years, with recent major improvements to some schools, outdated classrooms, infrastructure, and facilities need to be upgraded to meet today’s safety, technology and educational standards.

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 B 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. It will also provide equity among our schools to give every child in the district the same chance for success.

If Measure B does not pass, our classrooms and school facilities will continue to deteriorate, which will affect our students’ education. In addition, funds that would otherwise go to classroom instruction will be needed to make critical improvements at each school or to add temporary portable classrooms for growth. Postponing these upgrades until later will potentially cost more.

The tax rate per property owner is estimated to be $29.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per year. (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.