Hope Elementary School District voters passed a $47.4-million bond measure for infrastructure improvements and other facility upgrades, according to semi-official election results.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday, 57.3 percent of people voted to approve the bond measure and 42.7 were opposed, according to the Santa Barbara County Elections Division. That included 3,650 ballots counted.
Measure J2020 requires at least 55-percent voter approval to pass.
Residents within the Hope Elementary School District’s boundaries were asked to authorize the district to issue $47.4 million in bonds at an estimated tax rate of $0.03 per $100 in assessed value.
The school district board of trustees placed the measure on the ballot after deciding infrastructure issues at its three campuses will become more pressing and expensive if not addressed now, according to the ballot statement.
The district adopted a facilities master plan that lists projects, and the list was prioritized by school staff, teachers, the school board, and community members.
According to the district, Measure J2020 funds would modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities to improve the quality of education; repair and replace outdated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems; improve safety and security; and repair, construct, acquire classrooms, sites and equipment.
No funds would be used for teacher or school administrators’ salaries and pensions, or operating expenses, according to the ballot language.
An independent citizens’ oversight committee would be appointed to ensure all funds were spent as authorized, and none of the money could be taken by the State of California, according to the ballot statement.
The Hope School District teaches more than 900 students in Hope, Monte Vista and Vieja Valley elementary schools.
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.