There are six school bond measures on the Nov. 5 ballot asking voters in Santa Barbara County to approve funding for improvements to campus facilities.

All of the general-obligation bonds proposed in the county this year require 55% voter approval to pass. If approved, they would levy taxes on local property owners to pay for the bonds and interest payments.

Check which bonds are on your ballot, and where your polling place is, on the Elections Office website here.

All of the bonds have mandatory oversight and are required to have a plan for using the money — for facilities, not salaries.

College School District: Measure L

Bond proposal: Authorize $18 million in bonds, levying $19 per $100,000 of assessed value on property owners in the College School District. The bond would generate an estimated $1 million a year for fixing roofs, updating electrical and plumbing systems, and upgrading facilities.

Estimated to be collected through 2058 and cost $36.9 million in total debt service (principal and interest).

Ballot language: To repair aging classrooms/school facilities to meet health and safety codes; fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing and electrical; remove asbestos/lead pipes; and upgrade, construct and equip classrooms, labs, facilities to support student achievement in science, math, technology, engineering, and arts; shall the College School District measure authorizing $18,000,000 in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying $19 per $100,000 assessed value ($1 million annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight and all money staying local?

Ballot arguments: The argument in favor of Measure L can be viewed online here.

No argument against Measure L was filed.

District bonds in effect on property tax bills: Measure Z (2004), which is estimated to generate $881,308 this fiscal year.  

Hope School District: Measure Y

Bond proposal: Authorize $40.3 million in bonds, levying $18.26 per $100,000 assessed value on property owners in the Hope Elementary School District. The bond would generate an estimated $2.5 million a year for modernizing school facilities, and safety and security improvements. The district plans to purchase land for an early childhood center, replace portables with permanent classrooms and make other upgrades. 

Estimated to be collected through 2055 and cost $76.3 million in total debt service (principal and interest).

Ballot language: To modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms/school facilities; make health, safety/security improvements to improve the quality of education; acquire, construct/equip school sites/facilities, shall Hope Elementary School District’s measure be adopted issuing $40,300,000 of bonds at legal rates, generating on average $2,500,000 annually as long as bonds are outstanding at a rate of approximately $18.26 per $100,000 assessed value, with annual audits, independent citizens’ oversight, NO money for salaries and no money taken by the State?

Ballot arguments: The argument in favor of Measure Y can be viewed online here.

No argument against Measure Y was filed.

District bonds in effect on property tax bills: Measure D (1995), Measure L (2010), Measure J (2020). These measures are expected to collectively generate $2.49 million this fiscal year. The district also has parcel tax Measure S (2018) in effect, at a rate of $79 per year.

Lompoc Unified School District: Measure M

Bond proposal: Authorize $160 million in bonds, levying 5 cents per $100 assessed value on property owners in the Lompoc Unified School District. The bond would generate an estimated $9 million a year for upgrading facilities. The district has 136 portable classrooms that are at least 20 years old, and schools plan to replace some with permanent classrooms.

Estimated to be collected through 2063 and cost $294,729,000 in total debt service (principal and interest).

Ballot language: Lompoc Unified School District Classroom Repair Measure. To repair/upgrade classrooms, labs, career-training facilities/technology to prepare students for college/careers in science, technology, engineering/skilled trades; improve student safety/campus security; fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical/ventilation; repair, construct, acquire classrooms, facilities, sites/equipment, shall Lompoc Unified School District’s measure be adopted authorizing $160,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levying 5 cents per $100 assessed value ($9,000,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with oversight, audits, and all money staying local?

Ballot arguments: The argument in favor of Measure M can be viewed online here.

No argument against Measure M was filed.

District bonds in effect on property tax bills: Measure N (2002), which is estimated to generate $1 million this fiscal year.  

Santa Barbara City College District: Measure P

Bond proposal: Authorize $198 million in bonds, levying $8.50 per $100,000 assessed value on property owners in the Santa Barbara City College District. The bond would generate an estimated $13,255,000 a year for upgrading facilities. The project list includes general repairs and replacing or renovating the sports pavilion/physical education building and physical science building.

Estimated to be collected through 2061 and cost $451,555,000 in total debt service (principal and interest).

Ballot language: Santa Barbara City College Measure Preserving Affordable Higher Education/Career Training Without Increasing Tax Rates. To repair and update aging classrooms, labs, college/career-training facilities providing affordable, high-quality education in science, engineering, math, nursing, technology/skilled trades; and fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing/electrical, shall Santa Barbara City College District’s measure be adopted authorizing $198,000 in bonds at legal rates, without exceeding the previously approved $8.50 per $100,000 assessed value (providing $13,255,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with oversight/local control?

Ballot arguments: The arguments in favor and against Measure P can be viewed online here. The rebuttal argument against Measure P can be viewed online here.

District bonds in effect on property tax bills: Measure V (2008), which is estimated to generate $5.35 million this fiscal year.

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District: Measure J

Bond proposal: Authorize $194 million in bonds, levying $24 per $100,000 assessed value on property owners in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. The bond would generate an estimated $13 million a year. The district proposes building a new high school and, at other campuses, building additional classrooms, restrooms and physical education facilities.

Estimated to be collected through 2062 and cost $438,139,696 in total debt service (principal and interest).

Ballot language: Santa Maria Joint Union High School District College/Career Preparation Measure. To provide up-to-date classrooms/labs/career training facilities that prepare students for college and in-demand careers in science, engineering, technology, skilled trades; make student safety/school security improvements; replace aging portables; and construct school facilities to relieve overcrowding, shall Santa Maria Joint Union School District’s measure authorizing $194,000,000 in bonds, at legal rates, be adopted, levying approximately $24/$100,000 assessed valuation ($13,000,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with independent oversight/audits/all funds controlled locally?

Ballot arguments: The argument in favor of Measure J can be viewed online here.

No argument against Measure J was filed.

District bonds in effect on property tax bills: Measure C (2004) and Measure H (2016), which are estimated to generate $9.127 million this fiscal year.

Santa Maria-Bonita School District: Measure K

Bond proposal: Authorize $77 million in bonds, levying $30 per $100,000 assessed value on property owners in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. The bond would generate an estimated $5.7 million a year. The district proposes building new school facilities and expanding/upgrading other campuses.

Estimated to be collected through 2054 and cost $162,246,560 in total debt service (principal and interest).

Ballot language: To repair, modernize, and construct elementary/junior-high school classrooms, science labs, and facilities that reduce overcrowding and support student achievement in science, technology, reading, writing, arts, and math; improve school safety/security; and fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical, infrastructure, shall Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s measure authorizing $77,000,000 in bonds, at legal rates, be adopted, levying approximately $30 per $100,000 assessed value (averaging $5,700,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight, independent audits, and all money locally controlled?

Ballot arguments: The argument in favor of Measure K can be viewed online here.

No argument was filed against Measure K.

District bonds in effect on property tax bills: Measure T (2014), which is estimated to generate $2,076,150 this fiscal year.