School Bond Measure C Faces Uphill Battle
The last two bond measures went down to defeat, but voters have another chance to fund important school improvement projects.
This November voters will decide if they’re willing to pay more property tax to fix, upgrade, and modernize local schools.
Local bond Measure C, if passed, will empower the district to issue and sell bonds worth more than $88 million dollars for improvements to schools located in the Morongo Unified School District (M.U.S.D.).
The bond will tack on $36.19 per 100K of assessed value to property tax bills with a possible increase to $39 in 2025-26. The payments will continue until fiscal year 2058-2059. The measure must be approved by at least 55% of district voters to pass.
The statement in support of the measure printed in the San Bernardino Voter Information Guide—authored by Robert Hamilton, President of the MUSD Board of Education and co-signed by Twentynine Palms City Council member Daniel Mintz, MUSD board member Christopher Claire, and others—states that fixes and improvements are needed for everything from infrastructure like roofing, heating, cooling, ventilation, and electrical to improving student access to technology and equipment for STEAM/STEM programs, ADA compliance, and other health and safety improvements.
No argument against the measure was filed.
The language of the measure includes a comprehensive list of the projects that would qualify for funding. All expenditures will be reviewed and audited annually by an independent citizen’s oversight committee, and all funds must be spent locally. A provision also prohibits any Measure C funds going to teacher or administrator salaries or general operating expenses.
MUSD has a comprehensive wish list ready to go for schools throughout the Morongo Basin. Improvements like a new HVAC system for Twentynine Palms High School and safety upgrades like a new fire alarm system and additional surveillance cameras top the list. Twentynine Palms Elementary needs new playground equipment, fencing, and speed bumps to slow the flow of traffic near the school.
An independent citizen’s committee with oversight on the spending would have at least seven members and must include a member of a local business organization, a representative from a senior citizen organization, a member of a taxpayer’s organization, and a member who is a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the district and active in a parent-teacher organization. No one doing business with or employed by the district will be allowed on the committee. Performance and financial audits are also built into the measure.
These safeguards are there to assure skeptical voters their money will be well spent, a good idea given that voters in the district have a history of defeating similar school bond measures in 2018 and 2020. The measure on the 2020 ballot wound up going down to defeat with only 40% of voters giving it a thumbs up.
When Desert Trumpet asked on Nextdoor which way voters are leaning on the measure, one response captured the skepticism of many: “What happened to all the money Lotto had promised? It was all lies!” wrote Leilani Palmer of North Joshua Tree.
Winning over voters frustrated with empty promises of the past is not an easy task. MUSD is trying to assure these voters their money is well spent by releasing a comprehensive report listing completed projects throughout the Basin that were funded by Measure O, the bond measure approved by voters in 2005. The summary shows the needs of the district exceeded the current budget; the final summary of the report states these funds are nearly exhausted with only 62% of “Needed Projects” completed. Measure O bond repayments on property tax bills will end in August 2039.
Supporters have got their work cut out for them. Even the District 1 Morongo Unified School Board candidates are split on the issue. In an interview with the three candidates on the Up-Close Show on local radio station Z107.7, there was a voice of dissent. Robert Hamilton and Johnnie Ward, Jr. both think the measure is key to improving local schools, but Karalee Hargrove disagreed, saying the extra tax burden is too much of a burden on families already stretched by the jump in home insurance rates. Hargrove also brought up the statewide California Proposition 2, known as the Public Education Facilities Bond Measure. The proposition, if approved by voters, would require a local school district match of up to 50% to receive state funds.
Johnnie Ward, Jr., voicing his support, said improvements to our schools are needed and that the measure is a chance for short-term rental owners to contribute more to the community.
Robert Hamilton, the President of the MUSD Board of Education1, said while he is aware that the extra tax can stretch family budgets, “I believe that the oversight committee that we have in place, monitoring how these bond funds are spent, ensuring (the funds) go to where we say the money is going to” will bring much-needed improvements that will serve students of MUSD.
Voters will got to the polls in less than a month to decide if bond measures like C are the best way to fund the education of local children.
Check Voterizer.org to ensure that you are registered to vote. You have until October 21 to register for the November 5 election.
Watch for upcoming Desert Trumpet elections coverage including Q&As with candidates for for Copper Mountain College Area 3, Morongo Unified School District Area 1 and State Senate District 19 plus Part three of the unanswered questions for Twentynine Palm City Council Candidates.
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Corrected October 11, 2024. Hamilton’s title was previously reported as President of the MUSD. Hamilton is President of the MUSD Board of Education, not the district as a whole.
Thank you for the article. Would you be able to direct me how to find out more information about the independent citizen committee?