Santa Ynez Valley Union High School voted to include an $80 million bond measure in the November election to help renovate the campus, but not without pushback from residents regarding the budget.

The high school, which was built in 1937, has been flagged in need of “high priority repairs” for almost all facilities across the campus, according to the school board’s resolution.

Board member Kathy Grace-Velasquez described the bond as preparing the school for a “futuristic view,” aiming to replace 27 decaying portable classrooms with permanent structures and develop modernized labs for careers such as welding, automotive repairs and medical tracks.

The proposed measure is estimated to cost property owners an annual average of $21.73 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The high school district’s best estimate of the highest tax rate is $23.38 per $100,000. The final tax is anticipated to be collected in 2060.

That means a home assessed at $900,000 would see a new cost on property tax bills of $195.57.

By law, none of the funds in the bond measure can be used for teacher or administrator salaries. Additionally, an independent oversight committee, annual audits and public spending disclosures are required by the measure to hold accountability.

During the school board’s June 16 meeting, one resident challenged the measure, pointing out that taxpayers are still paying for other bonds, including the 2016 Measure K, which similarly was intended for renovations.

Board member Brian Robinson described the bond measure as “probably the most important thing this board will ever do.” He noted that while it’s unfortunate the board has to fund this project via bonds, he said the measure is needed.

“I’ll be gladly paying for it, because I think it’s really important for the community, and it’s long overdue, and we did a lot of really great work with the previous bond,” Robinson said.

The bond measure requires 55% approval to pass. In 2016, voters approved Measure K with 57% approval.

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District serves 15,000 registered voters across Solvang, Santa Ynez, Buellton, Los Olivos and Ballard.

Voters also will see a local facilities funding measure for the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District on the November ballot which, if approved, would authorize up to $290 million in bonds to improve and modernize projects throughout the campuses.