On Wednesday, the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees agreed to place a $195 million bond measure on the March 2024 ballot.
Before the board was a resolution to approve the general obligation bond election in the District on March 5, 2024. The Resolution was passed with no discussion by Trustees Clyde Lewis, Jag Lathan, Gary Hack, Antonio Hernandez, Mary Rocha.
The District says the annual tax rate to fund the bond would be approximately $41 per $100,000 of assessed value. At the highest rate, it would be $48 per $100,000.
At its October 25 meeting, the Board provided direction for to move forward to prepare placing the bond on the ballot and to be brought back for a vote. This moved forward with only Trustee Dr. Jag Lathan objecting to a bond. Trustees Dr. Clyde Lewis, Gary Hack, Mary Rocha and Antonio Hernandez in favor.
The Antioch Unified School District is seeking funds to improve safety and security, make upgrades and improvements throughout the District while also seeking to make multiple enhancements. The bond also comes as just 18% of the survey feel the City of Antioch overall (the area) is headed in the right direction while 75% say its headed down the wrong track.
According to the resolution, the bond will need 55% of voters voting in favor to pass and would create an independent citizen’s oversight committee to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on the types of school facilities projects listed within the bond—none of the funds will go to administrator or teacher salaries.
The District says the annual tax rate to fund the bond would be approximately $41 per $100,000 of assessed value. At the highest rate, it would be $48 per $100,000.
Abbreviated Form of the Bond Measure:
“To upgrade classrooms, labs and learning technology, improve school safety and emergency communications, repair leaky roofs and restrooms, upgrade heating, air-conditioning, electrical and plumbing systems, and make accessibility upgrades for people with disabilities; shall Antioch Unified School District’s measure be adopted, issuing $195,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, generating an average $13,500,000 annually until approximately 2059, at estimated tax rates of approximately $48 per $100,000 assessed value with annual audits, citizen’s oversight, and all funds staying local?
According to the District, here is a breakdown of the facility needs:
$148.42 million for Safety & Security
- Repair leaky roofs
- Replace HVAC
- Replace windows
- Replace plumbing in bathrooms, kitchens, and locker rooms
- Reseal & paint buildings with lead
- Upgrade security lighting & fencing -Replace asphalt
- Replace faulty electrical wiring
- Renovate multi-purpose rooms
$28.93 million for Upgrades & Improvements:
- Upgrade libraries
- Replace play structures
- Install shade structures
- Renovate running tracks
- Install landscaping drains
- Upgrade electrical & technology infrastructures
- Improve school offices
$19.4 million for Enhancements
- Build new & modernize gyms
- Install new portables
- Modernize classrooms
- Upgrade athletic fields
- Install new marquees & scoreboards
- Upgrade pool equipment
At its October 25 meeting, the AUSD received its Bond Measure Feasibility Study where EMC Research who stated that two surveys have now been conducted—one in April 2022 and most recently in Sept/Oct 2023 with the sample sizes being 500 likely voters.
Key Findings:
- The overall mood of voters has soured considerably since 2022; fewer than one in five now say things in the area are headed in the right direction.
- While many voters express tax hesitancy, they also value quality local schools and believe they are a worthwhile investment.
- Despite the decline in voter mood, initial support for a potential bond measure is similar to what we saw in the 2022 poll, above the 55% threshold among both likely November and likely March 2024 voters.
- Additional context explaining the need for, and benefits of a measure is compelling, especially information around the potential improvements to school safety, the aging of schools, and accountability features of a measure.
According to the survey, voters are pessimistic about the way things are going in the Antioch area, and even more negative than last spring with just 18% stating Antioch was headed in the right direction and 75% said it was headed in the wrong direction.
“Even though we saw some pessimism in last year’s poll, we actually see fewer voters saying things are headed in the right direction now. So we do consider this to see this a pretty dire mood among voters.” Stated Jessica Polsky-Sanchez of EMC Research who added, “this doesn’t have to do with the schools, this is simply their mood overall of how things are going in the area.”
Antioch Unified School District Documents:
Bond Presentation – click here
Bond Survey – click here
Resolution – Click here
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