HUSD OK's $35M Bond Extension Question for June 5 Ballot

Healdsburg Unified School District will ask voters on June 5 to approve an extension on the district's existing bond debt in order to generate $35 million for school building renovations and upgraded technology in the classrooms.

HUSD board members voted unanimously last week to put the measure on the June 5 ballot.

"I certainly support it," said board member Vince Dougherty at the Feb. 15 meeting. "We've discussed it thoroughly, and I feel very strongly about this."

If approved by voters, the bond extension measure would also make the district eligible for a $5.4 million matching state grant. With the state grant, potential proceeds for the bond extension would be $40.4 million.

Property taxes would remain the same at $47 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

To see a copy of the actual ballot question and the projects to be covered by the bond proceeds, click on the attached Jpeg documents.

HUSD board members voted in favor of the bond extension ballot question following a video presentation and talk by HUSD Superintendent Jeff Harding on the deteriorating condition of school buildings in the district.

"It's clear that if we don't address our infrastructure issues, it will lead to future problems -- and the cost to fix them will be much higher,"  Harding told the board members.

"Our 'home' is 200,000 square feet, and if we get a water intrusion, that's a lot of damage," he said, pointing to eroded walls and paving around several structures.

In addition to shoring up buildings to protect against water intrusion, Harding said many buildings need new plumbing, heating and electrical systems.

"Our buildings are not energy-efficient," he said, pointing to one slide showing a creaky 50-year-old school building boiler room. "We have classrooms in trailers that are noisy, smelly and moldy."

Along with the building renovations, the bond would pay for new computers and science lab equipment.

If the bond is approved, the HUSD board will appoint a citizens' oversight committee to make sure the money is spent as advertised. Also the board will conduct annual independent audits to "assure that funds are spent only on district projects and for no other purpose," according to the ballot question language.

The ballot question also includes strong language barring the use of any of the bond proceeds for administrator or teacher salaries or for operations.

Harding said he plans to speak at numerous civic groups and organizations over the next few months to explain the need for the bond extension and the school renovation program.

Last month, the district hired a bond architect and bond counsel.