School district asking voters to approve bonds in election

Yosemite Unified School District (YUSD) voters will consider two separate local school facility bond measures totaling $79.2 million ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election.

Measure “W” would provide $18 million for Coarsegold Elementary School and Rivergold Elementary School, while Measure “Y” would provide $61.2 million for Yosemite High School.

The measure or measures appearing on a voter’s ballot will depend on where the voter lives.

The measures serve different geographic areas and groups of schools. Because the measures are separate, voters who live within the Coarsegold and Rivergold attendance boundaries may see both measures on their ballots. Other voters within YUSD may see only Measure “Y.”

The proposed bonds are financial instruments used by school districts to borrow money that is repaid by a property tax levy. School officials said every dollar generated by the bond measures would stay local.

A complete list of projects and expenditures is included within the full text of the measures.

Under the California Constitution, money generated by school district bond measures cannot be used for faculty or administrator salaries and pensions or other operating expenses. State law requires the District to conduct independent financial and performance audits annually and to establish an independent citizen’s oversight committee.

Community information events

YUSD is hosting a series of community information events focused on the bond measures. Interested parties are invited to learn more about the proposed measures and how they would address the district’s facility needs.

Attendees will have opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback at the meetings.

Events will be held in the Multipurpose Room at Coarsegold Elementary School (45426 Road 415) in Coarsegold on Tuesday, Sept. 15, Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Three more will be held in the Multipurpose Room at Rivergold Elementary School (31800 Road 400) in Coarsegold on Thursday, Sept. 17, Monday, Oct. 5 and Tuesday, Oct. 20.

YUSD also plans a trio of events in the Yosemite High School library (50200 School Road) on Wednesday, Sept. 16, Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Thursday, Oct. 22.

“Many YUSD facilities and major building systems have not been updates in decades and now require significant repair or modernization,” according to the district’s new website promoting the bonds.

The most pressing needs include aging roofs, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, classrooms, restrooms, fire alarms, emergency communication systems, security features, backup power and athletic facilities, according to district officials.

“Well-maintained schools benefit our entire community as they help the district attract and retain educators and staff, support programs that prepare students for college and skilled careers and strengthen the local workforce. If approved, the bond measures could provide dedicated local funding for a wide range of key facility projects.”

For more information from the district on the measures including a map of school attendance boundaries visit www.yosemitefuture.org.

Measure “W”

According to an Impartial Analysis of Measure “W” prepared by Madera County Counsel Regina Garza, the Measure would authorizes the district to issue up to $18 million in general obligation bonds to fund school improvement projects at its Coarsegold and Rivergold Elementary Schools as well as constructing a future elementary school located within the District’s School Facilities and Improvement District (SFID).

Garza reported the district’s best estimate of the highest tax rate to be collected to repay the bonds in Measure “W” is $59.81 per $100,000 of assessed value of property within the District’s School Facilities and Improvement District (SFID). The district estimates the final year the taxes will be collected to repay the bonds is fiscal year 2047-2048.

Measure “Y”

According to Garza’s Impartial Analysis of Measure “Y,” the measure would authorize the district to issue $61.2 million in general obligation bonds to fund educational facility projects at the district’s high schools including Yosemite High School and Educational Options.

Garza reported the district’s best estimate of the highest tax rate to be collected to repay the bonds is $59.98 per $100,000 of assessed value of property within the district. The district estimates the final year the taxes will be collected to repay the bonds is fiscal year 2047-2048.

Each Measure would require 55 percent approval of the qualified district electors. Both analyses and more information are available from the county at www.votemadera.com under the General Election tab.