By Tim Persyn
Saratoga residents will have the opportunity to vote on a $3 billion school-facility bond measure for California on the March 26 ballot, but the measure may not bring in any funds to the Saratoga Union School District.
The bond, which would be the first passed in three years, would provide approximately $2 billion for construction of K-12 schools, including up to $900 million for renovation. The remaining $1 billion would go to higher education. California's taxpayers would pick up the tab.
SUSD has applied for $3 million of the renovation funds, to be spent on modernization projects. "We have buildings that are 30 to 40 years old," said SUSD business manager Ellen Tipton. "We would spend the money on items like new windows, new lights for better efficiency, and and more modern electrical wiring for computer technology."
Superintendent Mary Gardner added, "We have a need to modernize buildings and add classroom space." Modernization could save the district money in the long run by improving efficiency, she said.
Unfortunately, there is not enough money to go around, even if the bond passes. There are already $7 billion in applications in line for funding, including Saratoga's. Applications are given a priority of 1, 2 or 3, with the state deciding how much to allocate to each priority. SUSD's application is a number-two priority
"Even if the bond passes, we may not get any money," Tipton said. However, the district's application could move to a number-one priority if SUSD agrees to cover 50 percent of the cost of the projects. The school board would have to approve any such agreement.
Trustee Jill Hunter said she hopes the bond passes, even if SUSD doesn't receive any funds from it. "There's a lot of wear and tear on schools, with 500 children running around. I would still support the bond, even if our district doesn't get any money. We're here for all children."
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, February 21, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved