Measure H
Lucia Mar Unified School District
November 2024 School Bond Measure
Measure H DEFINED: Measure H is a school bond measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot seeking voter authorization for Lucia Mar Unified School District funding to make needed facility repairs, technology upgrades, and improvements to school sites. Measure H requires 55% support to pass. A “YES” vote approves funding for the District’s plan; a “NO” vote rejects the plan.
Measure H Ballot Question:
“To repair and improve aging neighborhood schools; fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical; remove asbestos/ lead pipes; repair, construct/ acquire classrooms, labs, sites, facilities and equipment; support student achievement and college/career readiness in math, science, technology, engineering, arts and skilled trades; shall Lucia Mar Unified School District's measure authorizing $143,220,000 in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying 2¢ per $100 assessed value ($9,030,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight, independent audits, and all money locally-controlled?”
Measure H Project Summary:
● Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes from older school sites, where encountered
● Repair/Replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas lines, sewer lines, and electrical systems where needed
● Upgrade older schools so they meet current health codes, building safety codes, and provide improved access for students with disabilities
● Replace aging portable classrooms that are expensive to repair and maintain with modern, permanent classrooms
● Provide modern labs and career technical education facilities and equipment so students are prepared for college and in-demand careers in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades
● Update the classrooms, facilities, and technology needed to support high-quality instruction in math, science, engineering, and technology
Taxpayer Safeguards:
• By law, all funds from Measure H must stay local, dedicated to LMUSD schools only.
• Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, independent annual audits, and regular public reports ensure proper spending of funds.
• Measure H cannot be used for administrator salaries.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please visit our website at: www.luciamarschools.org OR contact: Dr. Paul Fawcett,
Superintendent via Email: [email protected] / Phone: (805) 474-3000
Lucia Mar Unified School District
November 2024 School Bond Measure
What is Measure H?
Measure H is a school bond measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot seeking voter authorization for Lucia Mar Unified School District funding to make needed facility repairs, technology upgrades, and improvements to school sites. Measure H requires 55% support to pass. A “YES” vote approves funding for the District’s plan; a “NO” vote rejects the plan.
Why has the Lucia Mar Unified School District (LMUSD) placed Measure H on the ballot?
As the local provider of TK-12 public education, Lucia Mar Unified School District (LMUSD) has two key priorities: first, to ensure every student is College, Career, and Life Ready; and second to make sure that our schools provide a healthy, safe, accessible, secure, technologically current, well-maintained learning environment, and is equipped to provide LMUSD students with the very best educational setting possible.
Despite the outstanding instruction provided in LMUSD schools, our neighborhood schools are now 60+
years old. School facility roofs, plumbing, gas lines and building systems need rehabilitation. Classrooms built in the 1960s have limited electrical capacity, and safety systems need continual upgrading. With advancing technology, learning spaces throughout our campuses would benefit from upgraded technological systems and workstations. As part of our duty to plan for the future, we are constantly assessing our facilities’ needs. If approved by voters, Measure H provides the funding to continue addressing the identified Lucia Mar Unified School District facilities and technology needs.
What would funds raised by Measure H go towards?
Measure H Project Summary:
- Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes from older school sites, where encountered
- Repair/Replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas lines, sewer lines, and electrical systems where needed
- Upgrade older schools so they meet current health codes, building safety codes, and provide proper access for students with disabilities
- Replace aging portable classrooms that are expensive to repair and maintain with modern, permanent classrooms
- Provide modern labs and career technical education facilities and equipment so students are prepared for college and in-demand careers in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades
- Update the classrooms, facilities, and technology needed to support high quality instruction in math, science, engineering, and technology
How much will Measure H cost?
If approved by voters, a $143,220,000 million bond translates to about 2¢ per year for every $100 of assessed valuation. The assessed valuation refers to taxable value, not the market value of your home. The average homeowner in our school district will pay about $110.19 a year or $9.18 per month.
What is the actual question that voters will be asked to decide in November?
“To repair and improve aging neighborhood schools; fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical; remove asbestos/ lead pipes; repair, construct/ acquire classrooms, labs, sites, facilities, and equipment; support student achievement and college/career readiness in math, science, technology, engineering, arts, and skilled trades; shall Lucia Mar Unified School District's measure authorizing $143,220,000 in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying 2¢ per $100 assessed value ($9,030,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight, independent audits, and all money locally-controlled?”
How are LMUSD facilities improvements funded?
With limited resources, LMUSD staff continually work hard to maintain our school facilities and education and keep them in good working condition for thousands of students and staff members. However, the reality is that the types of repairs, renovations, and upgrades we need go far beyond the scope and means of regular school budgets. Passing a local school bond is the most common way California communities fund the upgrades we need.
Isn’t there a facilities budget for ongoing school maintenance?
District staff continues to invest and work hard to maintain our school facilities, and keep them in good working condition with limited resources. However, the reality is that the types of repairs and renovations that our current needs assessment has identified go beyond the scope and means of regular school maintenance budgets.
Are Lucia Mar Schools really that old?
Many of our schools were built more than 60 years ago and don’t meet modern building safety codes. Some buildings have hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead pipes. We need to remove these hazards from our schools. Some of our schools were built so long ago that underground pipes and infrastructure are failing, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups. We need to fix these problems. All students deserve to learn in quality classrooms and school facilities. There’s a direct relationship between quality school facilities and student achievement. Studies show that students and teachers perform best in safe, modern classrooms and schools with up-to-date technology.
What is a Proposition 39 school bond measure and what can it pay for?
A Proposition 39 school bond measure can ONLY be used to fund school facility and technology improvements (capital projects - not maintenance or regular repairs). A Proposition 39 school bond requires 55% to pass. Proposition 39 school bonds prohibit the use of the funds for operations, administrator salaries, or pensions. It also requires independent financial and performance audits on the use of bond proceeds. No revenue generated by a local bond can be taken away by the State.
Does the District have a Facilities Master Plan?
Our school district values facilities master planning. Recently, the LMUSD Board received a long-term Facilities Master Plan that will guide the needs of each campus. We conducted a full assessment of school facility needs—including classroom structures, student support facilities, school equipment, and infrastructure – at every site. The plan can be viewed here.
What about the Lottery funding? Wasn’t it supposed to fix our schools?
Unfortunately, restricted Lottery funds can only be used for classroom instruction, not technology or facility upgrades. Moreover, the money our school district receives from the Lottery each year comprises less than 2% of our annual General Fund Budget.
Which schools would benefit from the bond proposal you are considering?
All three comprehensive high schools, three middle schools, eleven elementary schools, one continuation high school, one independent student study school, and one adult education program will benefit from any revenue raised from Measure H.
Will this Measure H help replace the end-of-life/expiring portables still currently in use at our schools?
Yes. There are 93 portable classrooms at our schools that are more than 20 years old. They are deteriorating and past their useful life. It is more expensive to keep repairing these units than to replace them. We need additional funding to replace these portables with modern, permanent classrooms.
When will the work begin?
If approved by voters, the District will immediately focus on the most critical facilities needs across all school sites. A schedule for funding projects will be developed so they can be completed on time and based on necessity.
How can we be assured that Measure H would be spent properly?
If approved by voters, Measure H would require independent Citizens Oversight and reports to the community to ensure the funds are spent as promised. None of the money from this measure can be used to increase salaries, benefits, or pensions for administrators, or any other school employees.
Doesn’t the STATE provide funding for facility upgrades?
Very little. In general, new funds provided by the State are for instructional programs, NOT capital improvements. Moreover, if the State were to pass a State facility bond, in order to access a share of that funding, school districts MUST generate local matching funds. Typically, a local bond is the BEST way to qualify for additional State funding if and when it becomes available. Unfortunately, other funding source options for major facility upgrades are extremely limited.
Will Measure H support student health and safety?
The measure would support our students’ health and safety by upgrading utility systems, deteriorating infrastructure, removing hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes where encountered, and improving fire and emergency communications systems. By funding these upgrades we can ensure our students’ environment is safer both on a day-to-day basis and in case of an emergency.
Will businesses share in the cost of Measure H?
Yes, commercial, industrial, and residential property owners will be subject to the same property tax levy.
Have there been other LMUSD school bonds? If so, when was the last bond?
LMUSD makes every effort to use taxpayer dollars in a prudent, responsible manner. The Passage of Measure I in 2016 was a critical step in a comprehensive effort to upgrade aging LMUSD school facilities. However, even with Measure I school improvement projects, we still have over $250 Million in unmet facility needs, including: repairs to deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas and sewer lines; improvements to our school safety systems, fire alarms, and access for disabled students, as well as upgrades to classrooms, science labs, career-training facilities, and instructional technology to support college preparation and career readiness in math, science, technology, engineering, arts, and skilled trades.
How does equity factor into the need for a school facilities bond? How does LMUSD's current bond tax rate compare with other districts in San Luis Obispo County?
Measure I (passed in 2016) enabled the District to repair and upgrade many—but not all school facilities. Some of our schools have modern classrooms, labs, and educational facilities, but most don’t. This measure will ensure that ALL students have equal access to the classrooms, labs, and facilities they need to succeed.
While LMUSD is the largest school district in San Luis Obispo County, we have one of the lowest bond tax rates in the area.
Who is eligible to vote on Measure H?
All registered voters within the Lucia Mar Unified School District are eligible to vote on Measure H on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact: Dr. Paul Fawcett, Superintendent via Email: [email protected] / Phone: (805) 474-3000