The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Lompoc-Vandenberg Branch endorses Measure M, the Lompoc public school bond on the upcoming election ballot.

The bond would be used to upgrade aging schools and classroom facilities, and to improve student preparation for college and in-demand careers, AAUW said.

Many of Lompoc’s schools are more than 60 years old and in desperate need of upgrades, AAUW said. Thousands of students are learning in deteriorating portable buildings while outdated plumbing, leaky roofs, and inadequate heating/cooling systems impact their daily lives, the organization said.

“Measure M is a critical step to providing locally-controlled funding to modernize classrooms, upgrade science labs, improve technology, and bring schools up to current health and safety standards,” AAUW said.



“This bond will ensure that all students, including those with disabilities, can thrive in safe, well-maintained facilities that foster learning. Together, we can build a better future for Lompoc’s students,” the organization said.

Measure M is strongly aligned with AAUW’s mission, said Kay Duffy Taylor, co-president of the Lompoc-Vandenberg AAUW Branch.

“AAUW believes that strong public-school education is imperative, including modernized classrooms and facilities for students to create improved outcomes,” Taylor said. “Our belief in the power and importance of excellent public-school education is why we support Measure M.”
 
Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) outlines the following improvements Measure M will be used for:

· Make repairs to older classrooms and school facilities, including deteriorating roofs, plumbing, sewer, heating, ventilation and electrical systems.
· Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes from older school sites.
· Replace aging portable classrooms that are beyond their useful life, are too expensive to repair and maintain with modern, permanent classrooms.
· Improve student safety and campus security systems, including security fencing, security cameras, emergency communications systems, smoke detectors, fire alarms and sprinklers.
· Upgrade older schools so they meet current health codes, building safety codes, and provide proper access for students with disabilities.
· Provide modern labs and career training facilities and equipment, so students are prepared for college and in-demand careers in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades.
· Provide the classrooms, facilities and instructional technology needed to support high quality instruction in math, science, engineering, and technology.
· Create modern, multi-use classrooms to support hands-on science instruction and learning-by-doing.
· Provide the classrooms and facilities needed to support high quality instruction in music, visual and performing arts.
 
AAUW is a nonpartisan organization open to all genders dedicated to improving the lives of females. Its mission is Equity for All.

The Lompoc-Vandenberg Branch of AAUW was chartered in 1964 and has a legacy of hosting nonpartisan candidate forums as a service to the community.

For more about joining or supporting AAUW, visit lompocvandenberg-ca.aauw.net.