Schools

School Board to Vote Whether to Place Bond Measure on Ballot

The bond measure ballot asks voters to authorize a $63 million bond.

Editor's Note: This report was updated at 7 p.m. Aug. 9 to present updated information from the most updated resolution regarding a potential bond measure.

The Newark Unified Board of Education will decide tonight whether to place a $63 million bond measure on the November ballot, according to the meeting's agenda.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the , 5715 Musick Ave.

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Board members learned last week that, based on studies, Newark voters would likely pass a school bond measure equivalent to $39 per $100,000 assessed value.

An assessed value is the dollar value of a property for tax assessment purposes, not necessarily its current market value.

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TBWB Strategies and Godbe Research are the consultant firms hired by the district to determine the feasibility of a bond. Their findings determined that 61 percent of voters would likely vote for the bond measure, with a 5.5 percent margin of error.

A bond measure requires a 55 percent vote for approval, compared to a parcel tax, which requires a two-thirds vote.

The ballot measure reads that the bond issue will “preserve quality education, provide safe and modern schools, and qualify for matching funds” and will upgrade facilities to “meet earthquake/fire/safety standards; improve access for students with disabilities; remove asbestos, lead and hazardous materials; and improve energy/operational efficiency to maximize funding for instructional programs.”

According to the text of the ballot measure, the money generated through the bond issue would not be allocated toward administrators’ salaries.

To read the resolution that would authorize the district to place the bond measure on the November ballot, download the document by clicking here.

An upgrade of the schools would come decades after they were first constructed. All Newark schools were constructed before 1970, with the oldest being , which was built in 1955.

Also at tonight’s meeting, the board will vote on the district’s child care fees and approve’s school plan for student achievement.

Click here to download the full agenda for the meeting.


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