By Jeff Ursino, PVUSD Trustee Area VII
I often get asked what the status of the Measure L Bond is and when certain changes or projects are going to be completed.
The good news is that this summer Aptos area schools are going to see several projects finally come to fruition. Many of the projects that were discussed initially when the bond first passed will be started within the next several months.
What Has Been Done?
Before we go into the details of what is to be worked on, lets first take a moment to review the history of the Measure L. Back in 2011 Measure L was passed by the local community in an effort to improve both facilities and technology at our local schools.
The bond was in part, a response to the “Great Recession” and dwindling state funds available at that time for facility improvements. Thus a bond, in the amount of $150,000,000.00 was proposed and passed to fill in the state funding gap. To this day it is the largest school bond ever passed in Santa Cruz County.
The bond garnered support across the community in part due to the realization that if the community wanted to educate our local students in cutting edge facilities it was going to have to be pay for it locally.
Money from the bond has already been spent on a variety of projects such as door locks across the district to improve classroom safety, a new water tank at Aptos High and a new running track at Rio Del Mar.
In addition, improved internet connectivity at Aptos High and computer access in local classrooms are all or in part due to Measure L. In addition to the improvements made at Aptos area schools, a variety of classroom and technology programs have been completed in Watsonville.
Projects in Process
Now as we enter the summer months a variety of new projects are slated to begin. At Aptos High a walking path along the road leading to the campus will be installed along with several new “hydration stations.” The walk path in particular has been an area of concern for anyone driving up the hill to the school as students are often forced to walk on that road itself putting them at risk.
Aptos Junior High, Bradley, Mar Vista and Valencia are all scheduled to get additional modular classrooms on their school sites in a reaction to increased need as both the local population grows and students to teacher ratios align with a lower class size.
In addition some modular classrooms, which are up to 10 years past their life expectancy, will be replaced. The 27 new classrooms at our local schools will give teachers and administrators the ability to continue to grow with the community and maintain appropriate classroom size.
Finally, Valencia, Rio Del Mar and Aptos Junior High will get new or modified restrooms that will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
These improvements along with upgraded electrical wiring at Rio Del Mar and new faculty offices at several of our local schools will ensure that our local bond dollars are working towards improving local sites.
Partnership and Commitment
The reality is that as state funds continue to ebb and flow with the economic environment, local communities will need to work with their school districts to help ensure our children have educational facilities that will prepare them for the 21st century workplace.
Districts will in turn need to demonstrate that they can build strong partnerships with the community and be trusted with the community’s money. As the district moves forward on the projects mentioned, the PVUSD School Board is demonstrating our commitment to that partnership.