WATSONVILLE — A $315 million bond now rests in the hands of voters in the Pajaro Valley for the November general election. The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place the bond, which would go toward repairs and upgrades of district schools, on the ballot at its Wednesday meeting.
This is the district’s first bond proposal since Measure L, which was approved by voters in 2012 and provided $150 million to repair aging facilities at district schools. Dale Scott of San Francisco financial consultant Dale Scott & Co. presented there three options: authorize $315 million in three series issued in 2025, 2028 and 2031 with the total tax rate going up to $120 for four years and then falling to $70 to $80; authorize $195 million in two series issue in 2025 and 2028 with the total tax rate at $100 for three years and then decreasing to $75; and issuing $295 million in three series in 2025, 2028 and 2031 with the total tax rate at $95.
The district would need $1.2 billion for repairs at all its sites, per its latest draft facilities master plan.
Ralph le Roux of consulting firm 19six Architects said that in preparing the master plan, staff met with the principals at each site to determine what they got out of Measure L and what was still needed. While a list of projects has not yet been finalized, le Roux did present some potential projects, including upgrading parking lots with electric vehicle charging stations and shade structures, making playgrounds more inclusive and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, adding career technical education spaces with natural lighting, establishing workforce housing for faculty and constructing a performing arts center at Pajaro Valley High School.
The latter item appeared to draw a lot of support from those in attendance with parents and students holding up signs urging the district to set aside money for an auditorium, as well as a pool, at Pajaro Valley High School. In the school’s 19-year existence, it has never had its own performing arts center, although it has been largely discussed since prior to the passage of Measure L. Instead, the major project funded through that bond for Pajaro Valley High was an athletic field, something else the school had lacked since it opened. The track, softball and football fields were completed in 2021.
Trustee Kim De Serpa said the auditorium should be a priority.
“To the general public, we did have a plan to put your auditorium in at Pajaro Valley High School very early, but because of many factors, the price of building went up very, very quickly and we could no longer afford to do both your track and field, build that out and do your performing arts center,” she said. “We owe you that, and if this bond passes, I want to make sure that that project goes in first.”
In a public comment, Pajaro Valley High parent Lourdes Barraza said school safety should also be a priority, as the campus has only one entrance for vehicles.
“I’m surprised more kids haven’t been hit by cars,” she said. “What would happen if that entrance was blocked? How would we get to our kids? How would the kids get out? I’m really surprised that didn’t take priority over the beautification of schools. While it would be nice to have beautiful schools, that’s not really a priority. Safety is a priority.”
Trustee Daniel Dodge Jr. supported the first option as it would provide the most money for the district.
“When you look at this, this is for generations,” he said. “Many of us will not be here, but at least this money will be here for our children and our schools.”
Trustee Jennifer Holm agreed.
“We’re already asking for less than we need,” she said. “If we aim for the highest, I think it could be supported, and looking at the monthly costs, it’s not significantly different.”
The board voted 6-0 to approve the first option and call for a general obligation bond in November. Vice President Oscar Soto was absent. The measure would require a two-thirds majority by voters to pass.