Measure X Bond

The proposed measure is a $239 million general obligation (GO) bond program. The measure is intended to address the needs of the student population through modernization and renovation projects at the District’s 28 schools.

GO 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, GO 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.

Our schools are outdated and major upgrades and renovations need to be made. Although our schools have been well maintained over the years, our schools are old with aging classrooms and facilities. The average age of Simi Valley Unified School District schools is 51 years old. Today, our schools need major classroom and infrastructure improvements to maintain the quality of education provided to local students. By investing in our schools, we can meet today’s safety, technological, and educational standards as well as better our community.

Today, the scope of improvements needed at the Simi Valley Unified 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 the cost of upgrading, modernizing, and repairing facilities.

Over the several months 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.

Specific types of projects identified include:

• Repair or replace leaky roofs
• Modernize and renovate science labs
• Replace deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems.
• Replace outdated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
• Modernize classrooms to meet today’s teaching and learning standards
• Increasing student access to computers and modern technology.

Yes. The District has passed a school improvement measure over 25 years ago in 1989 and another more recently in 2004.  Funds from the previous measures were used to renovate, modernize and construct schools and facilities. The proposed measure would provide key funding to bring Simi Valley schools up to 21^st century standards as well, construct new classrooms, make health and safety improvements, and improve student access to computers and modern technology.

This measure 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 the measure does not pass, our classrooms and school facilities will continue to deteriorate. In addition, funds that would otherwise go to classroom instruction will be needed to make critical safety repairs and improvements at each school. Major repairs will need to be postponed and as a result will potentially be more expensive to make.

The tax rate per property owner is estimated to be $39 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.