City Beat
$24 million in federal money will go to SJSUD schools
District cashes in with cash infusion for new technology and other needs
By Michelle Alaimo
The San Jose Unified School District will receive $24 million of interest-free federal bonds this month, thanks to a resolution unanimously passed by the board of trustees on July 31.
The district does not need to make any payments on the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds for 12 years, Assistant Superintendent of Administration Jerry Matranga said.
"It's a really good deal for the district," board member Carol Myers said.
The district qualified for the bonds because 35 percent of students in the district receive free or reduced lunches, Matranga said.
The bond was established in 1997 under federal tax legislation to help schools raise funds to renovate and repair buildings, update technology, train teachers and develop partnerships with local businesses. California is one of the 21 states that participates in the program.
SJUSD must pay back the entire amount in one lump sum in 12 years, Matranga said. District officials estimate that SJUSD will earn approximately $11 million in interest over the next 12 years, which will help repay the bond.
The bond will supplement $165 million in bonds passed by voters in 1996 and help pay for more than $500 million of facilities' needs within the district, Matranga said.
However, none of the bond money can be used to build new facilities. Work will begin this summer on upgrading many of the schools' technology and infrastructure. Each school's strategic plan for facilities will determine when upgrades and other school improvements will be completed.
Upcoming projects scheduled for local schools include the upgrading of technology, computer labs, school grounds, repaving parking lots, basketball courts, tennis courts and playgrounds.
Ty Williams, the district's facilities administrator, said it is very important to not schedule any repaving projects before modernization of the school is completed.
"As we go and do work at the site, we want to make sure we don't tear up work that has already been done," he said.
Repaving Schallenberger Elementary School's parking lot and playground begins this summer with school ground improvements also planned over the next year.
Willow Glen High School and Willow Glen Middle School can expect improvements in their computer labs and technology over the next two years. Improvements in grounds, paving and technology are also planned for WGHS, WGMS and Willow Glen Elementary School over the next several years.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
