At their January meeting the Buellton Union School Board unanimously approved placing a $3.3 million dollar Proposition 39 Bond to the June ballot. If approved this Bond will not raise the tax rate but rather extend an old Bond for another eleven years. Citing the loss of over one third of our our state funding in recent years, the board, without any expectation of improvement from the state, believes it is crucial for the students of our community to take this action now. If this bond is approved the following projects will be undertaken.
1- Installing solar systems at Jonata and Oak Valley Schools. It is estimated that this project could save up to $100,000 per year. The savings generated would increase to our general fund and could save two teachers or ten instructional assistants. This project would would also substantially reduce greenhouse gasses and stand as a beacon to our community.
2- Installing water well on each campus. This project would allow both schools to use well water for irrigation instead of city treated water at a savings of approximately $ 50,000. per year or about the cost of one teacher or 50 computers. This would also make more of the treated city water available to future consumers.
3- Upgrading our school cafeterias to full service. Currently both cafeterias have prep kitchens only and they do not allow for freshly prepared meals. Instead we warm frozen meals for lunch each day. In addition, we do not have a breakfast program. This upgrade would allow the district to prepare a homemade lunch and breakfast on site each day. It would also make our food services operation available for several grant opportunities. This project could help our food services program to break even each year.
4- Upgrading the technology in the district. While there have been many advances in educational technology, the district has been unable to keep up due to funding capabilities. Currently teachers are using 1970's technology for lesson presentations and their computers are about 10 years old and dying. The technology infrastructure is unreliable for students and staff alike. This investment will bring our district into the 21st century and set aside funding for future upgrades and maintenance.
5- The final project would allow the district to complete our early childhood education facility by constructing two more kinder classrooms on the build ready pad adjacent to the current Kinder classrooms. This project will allow the district to expand our early childhood education services and move one kinder class back to the the Kinder facility.
These projects are very ambitious for a small Bond and we hope to accomplish it all. However there is not a better time to start a construction project and add a little to our local economy.
If you have further questions or would like to serve on the Bond Over-Site Committee please contact Superintendent Tom Cooper at 805-688-1163
