Urging voters to support Measure J, a Santa Maria Joint Union High School District student and a teacher shared similar experiences about long restroom lines and incredibly jammed hallways because of overcrowding.
Educators and community members united Wednesday to encourage voters to support Measure J, a $194 million facilities improvement bond on the Nov. 5 ballot to build a new high school and complete other construction projects.
Future Leaders of America students along with assorted adults gathered on the steps of Ethel Pope Auditorium at Santa Maria High School for a press conference in support of the bond measure.
Many held signs reading, “Yes for Jovenes,” which means “youths” in Spanish. (Elections officials randomly assigned letters to measures on the Nov. 5 ballot.)
Maydeli Aguirre, a Pioneer Valley High School junior and FLA student leader, discussed being on an overcrowded campus.
“Getting to class on time can be a struggle with so many students moving through the halls,” she said.
Another challenge involved trying to get a class for college requirements. Since the classes were full, she will either have to take it during her senior year or attend summer school.
“I know I am not alone in this struggle. Overcrowding also affects our restroom access,” she said, telling about long lines. “Every student deserves a high-quality education. Yes for jovenes. Yes for Measure J.”
Students aren’t the only ones facing restroom lines and packed hallways.
Santa Maria High School social sciences teacher Ricardo Valencia, who graduated from the school and called it his dream job, shared a similar reaction.
“As much as I love working at SMHS, one thing I don’t like is walking down the halls or outside at student passing periods,” he said, noting that the school has more than 3,000 students. “I feel anxiety sometimes because there are so many people crammed together at the same time trying to get through narrow spaces.”
He said the cramped conditions can leave students irritable, frustrated and stressed.
“Students who have to rush to every class are not relaxed and ready to learn,” said Valencia, president of the Santa Maria-Bonita School District board, which has its own bond Measure K on the ballot Nov. 5.
Beyond negative comments on social media, there doesn’t appear to be any organized opposition to Measure J.
Calling the measure “a transformative opportunity,” Superintendent Antonio Garcia said the district needs another comprehensive high school campus because of overcrowding.
The district has the distinction of having the largest high schools in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties with campuses built for 2,000 students now serving more than 3,000.
Righetti High, the smallest of the three comprehensive campuses for ninth- through 12th-graders, was built for 1,700 and now has more 2,400 students.
“With the continued growth that we have both in Santa Maria and in Orcutt, we have a need right now at this moment for an additional high school plus to account for the growth,” Garcia said.
In addition to a fourth campus to serve ninth- through 12th-graders, the project list includes a performing arts center at Righetti High School.
“By investing in our schools, we’re investing in the future of our students and our community, not to mention improved property values. Together, we can create an environment that fosters academic achievement, personal growth and lifelong success,” Garcia added.
Specifically, the measure would add $24 per $100,000 of assessed valuation to property taxes annually. Based on the assessment of the average, homeowners in the district would pay about $76 a year to property taxes annually through 2062-63.
The measure could need more than 55% approval from voters to pass.
The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District includes Santa Maria, Orcutt, Guadalupe, Casmalia, Los Alamos, Sisquoc, Garey and Tepusquet Canyon.
The district boasts approximately 9,000 students in ninth through 12th grades attending Santa Maria High, Righetti High and Pioneer Valley High. In addition, the district has a continuation high school plus a career-technical education center.