Measure I-10, Bond for Atascadero Unified School District

By Tami Gunther

Bond I-10, if approved by voters, will provide funding to upgrade, repair and modernize our schools.

• The State does not provide nearly enough funding for repairs and maintenance. Most the District's schools are quite old and require a lot more work than the State dollars will cover. This extra work (work = money) must come out of our General Fund which should be used to pay our teachers and staff.

• All classrooms can be updated to accommodate the latest in technology, such as new wiring for computers and other teaching enhancements.

• Heating and air conditioning systems can be replaced as needed at all sites (many schools are currently using swamp coolers, and one still has a boiler system for which parts are no longer made).

• Windows, roofs, and flooring can be repaired or replaced, and insulation added for better energy efficiency (which would lower utility costs).

• Plumbing needs to be replaced at some sites. (Santa Rosa Academic Academy had a failure the day school started this year which resulted in no water to the school for 2 days.)

• Options for vocational education could be expanded at the High School by constructing a math/science/technology building. The current facilities for lab sciences are very old and inadequate.

• The option to build a Visual and Performing Arts facility at the High School. This could accommodate all of the arts related classrooms; photography, ceramics, graphic design, choir, drama, band, etc. In addition to classrooms, this structure could house a theater which could also be used as a lecture hall.

• The Junior High and Fine Arts Academy could either be completely rebuilt on the current property, or new facilities could be built on 17 acres already owned by the District off of Del Rio Road. There are benefits to both locations and if the bond passes this will be studied and discussed thoroughly before a decision is made.

• This Bond will provide funding to upgrade our entire District. By law no bond money can be spent on salaries, but by making improvements that reduce energy costs, and by replacing structures that require constant repairs, we will be saving money that otherwise would have come from the general fund... and the general fund DOES pay our salaries. Reducing the impact on the general fund for repairs and utilities will directly impact our classrooms in a positive way.