Saratoga News

School district plans to place bond measure on the June ballot

Both the high schools need renovations and upgrades

Ranii: Poll shows support

By Michelle Alaimo

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District is moving ahead with plans to place a $79 million bond on the June 2 ballot. The general obligation bond, if approved by two-thirds of the voters, could only be used toward the renovating, upgrading and construction of new facilities at the district's two aging high schools.

It is now up to a bond-election committee, composed of community members, to raise money to fund an election campaign and to hire a professional campaign consultant. High school district superintendent Cynthia Ranii said she does not anticipate any problems with the bond getting the votes it needs. In a telephone poll conducted last Nov. 8 and 9 by Gene Bregman and Associates, some 400 eligible voters in the school district were asked if they would support the bond. Seventy-six percent of Los Gatans and 63 percent of Saratogans--a combined total of 70 percent from both communities-- said they would support it.

If approved, the $79 million bond would be issued in five installments, with the first installment of $20 million being paid later this year, Ranii said. She added that the bond is a long-range plan that would allow for smooth progression in updating facilities for growth. The final installment of $10 million would be issued in the year 2009.Bregman and Associates also asked what perceptions voters had of the bond and why they would vote for it. Only 45 percent said it was because they thought the high school district needed to repair facilities; 79 percent cited the district's excellent rating as a motivating factor for supporting the bond.

Ranii said the bond is needed because neither school has had any significant upgrades or renovations for more than 20 years. The schools are now in a visible state of disrepair. At both schools, roofs are leaking and tiles are damaged. Some leaks have also caused extensive damage to walls and other portions of classrooms at Los Gatos High School.

And both schools need to have their electrical system updated to meet current needs.

"In 1958, it wasn't anticipated that you would need 35 outlets in one classroom," Ranii said.

She added that health and safety concerns are motivating the push for renovations and upgrades; another reason the bond is needed is to help the district prepare for projected enrollment growth. The district anticipates a 21 percent enrollment increase at Los Gatos High School within the next 10 years and a 30 percent increase at Saratoga High School.

Classrooms for advanced science instruction are already overcrowded and not up to modern standards, Ranii said. She explained that more high school students take advanced science than in the past because of current college requirements. One of the first projects that the bond money would fund is a new science building at Los Gatos High School. All major projects would start in the summer of 1999.

Other plans for the bond money include replacing rotting windowsills and 60-year-old plumbing, building additional classrooms to replace temporary portable classrooms--some that are 32 years old at Los Gatos High School--and overhauling restrooms.

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