Summary of Measures Y and Z from Torrance Unified available
here.
The more you understand about the bond measures and the reasons why they are being put on the ballot by the school board, the more likely you are to support it.
Measure Y- $265 million to be used for specific classroom and core academic facility renovations. The tax rate for this bond would be $35 per $100,000 of ASSESSED property value (not market value).
Specifically, Measure Y would fund core academic school facility renovations, including:
-Repairing damaged walls, floors and foundations
-Replacing worn-out roofs, plumbing and lighting systems
-Repairing faulty drainage systems, hardscapes, and other safety hazards
-Removing asbestos and other hazardous materials from school sites
-Providing classroom technology needed to prepare students for the workforce
-Renovating outdated classrooms and science labs (including replacing Hull Middle School)
Emphasis added about the asbestos/hazardous material removal. I'm sorry, but, if there's still asbestos that needs to be removed from the schools that our kids are attending, then the idea we wouldn't provide the funds to fix it is unfathomable.
The measure is largely focused on maintaining the infrastructure of these buildings so they can continue to be used. This is basic stuff that must be done to keep buildings that are often 50+ years old.
On the second bond measure:
Measure Z - $90 million to be used for special school facility projects that will protect and enhance student safety and wellness, and provide specialized programs. The tax rate for this bond would be $13 per $100,000 of ASSESSED property value (not market value).
Specifically, Measure Z would fund the renovation of facilities that support learning, extra-curricular activities and ensure student safety, including:
-Renovating worn-out physical education facilities, playgrounds and fields that serve the entire Torrance community
-Constructing music and art classrooms and science labs at schools that do not have these facilities
If we want to encourage our kids to be active and healthy, it certainly makes sense to have decent facilities and playgrounds for them to play at - not to mention the benefits ballfield/playground renovations will have for local residents who will be able to take advantage of the improvements as well.
As as for science labs - it's hard to imagine that there are schools that don't have such facilities. It's about time they get them.
The bond is smartly structured to ensure that the assets will be properly maintained after the renovations are completed:
The Facilities and Assets Review Committee, comprised of parents, teachers, principals and community members, recommended the projects included in these bonds following a six (6) month comprehensive review of all district facilities. The recommendations were reviewed by school construction experts and detailed cost estimates were developed.
Restricted Repair and Replacement Reserve – These measures require the district to establish a Restricted Repair and Replacement Reserve – in order to maintain facilities after they are upgraded and protect taxpayers investment.
Measures Y&Z require an “Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee’ and mandatory independent annual audits to ensure funds are spent properly.
By law, funds from Measures Y and Z must stay in Torrance and may only be used for the specific facility projects listed in the District’s detailed facility master plan. No funds can be used for administrator salaries.
Voters should note that estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County’s official tax rolls, not on the property’s market value. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property’s assessed value.
A few things to highlight there:
The money is restricted to already specified facility projects and can't go for salaries.
Funds will wisely be set aside for the upkeep of the improvements that are completed.
The tax is figured against your assessed valuation, not your current market value of your house. That means that retirees who are on a fixed income and seen their home value skyrocked over the last 20 years won't have to pay tax on the actual value of the home, only the assessed value which will be much, much lower if they've been in their homes for 10+ years.
Those who've purchased a home for $600K+ in the last few years should have the means to deal with the modes increase in their property taxes. If base property taxes are at 1.0% - then someone with a house assessed at $600K is already paying $6K a year in taxes - the school bonds will add on $300 more. The amount that they'd pay for the school bond - $48 per $100K in value - is less than $300. That's very minor increase - and it will have a direct impact in improving the community - and home values.
A future post will address the school bond tax burden in Torrance compared to other school districts. You won't be surprised to hear (given the state of the school facilities) that the tax rate is very low relative to other districts..
