G.O. bonds fund projects such as the renovation of classrooms and school facilities, as well as construction of new schools and classrooms. Similar to a home loan, G.O. bonds are typically repaid over 30 years. The loan repayment comes from a tax on all taxable property – residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial – located within the District’s boundaries.

Our schools need major upgrades and renovations. While facilities have been well maintained, older classrooms and facilities must be upgraded since many do not meet 21st-century educational and technological standards. With that being said, a local school improvement measure would allow the District to improve the quality of the school facilities and education provided to local students.

Today, the scope of improvements needed in the Summerville Union High School District is far more than the current funding sources available. The per-pupil funding the District receives from the state is intended to be used for the day-to-day business of educating students, not for the costs of upgrading, modernizing, and repairing facilities.

Over the last couple of months, with input from staff, teachers, parents, community leaders, and an architect, the District has prepared a School Facilities Needs Analysis. The Needs Analysis identifies the major repairs and upgrades that need to be made.

• Replacing 40-year-old temporary portables, housing math, social studies, and elective classes with permanent classroom wings
• Making health and safety improvements, including lighting, fire alarms, and security systems for academic and athletic facilities
• Constructing and/or modernizing classrooms, rest- rooms, and school facilities
• Improving student access to computers and modern technology

Measure B will provide our students with a better learning environment by replacing and upgrading existing classrooms and school facilities; many of which are also used by and available to the community, such as the libraries and playing fields.

If Measure B does not pass, our classrooms and school facilities will continue to deteriorate. In addition, funds that would otherwise go to classroom instruction will be needed to make critical safety repairs and improvements. Consequently, major repairs will need to be postponed, and as a result, will potentially be more expensive to make.

The tax rate per property owner is estimated to be $17.50 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per year (Do not confuse assessed valuation with market value. Assessed valuations are the value placed on property by the County and are almost always lower than market values). Check your property tax statement for your current assessed valuation.

By law, all bond funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state. In addition, a local independent citizens’ oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond funds are properly spent. Also, by law, there must be annual audits of expenditures and no bond money can be used for teacher or administrative salaries.