The voters of San Diego Unified received a progress report on the status of the bond projects that have been approved over the past decade and cost about $8 billion total. Currently, only $2.2 billion of the $8.4 billion budget has been spent.
The $8.4 billion plan was produced from the passing of three bond programs: Proposition S ($2.1 billion), Proposition Z ($2.8 billion), and, the most recent, Measure YY ($3.5 billion). Each program raised property taxes with Measure YY costing people about $7.5 billion after interest. However, Measure YY is just starting with its first bonds of $250 million only being issued in May.
Measure YY has sparked some debate in regards to the real necessity of a third bond program with two already in place and whether taxpayer money should be used to fund such projects. District officials are confident it is necessary due to the current condition index of San Diego Unified. Currently, San Diego Unified is bordering between poor and fair conditions-district officials want to reach fair by 2024, hence the third bond program. Another reason for the third bond program is building deterioration. This issue profoundly affects the condition index, and more bond programs give sufficient funds needed to combat this issue.
As of now, San Diego Unified has spent $53 million on school security from its bond programs and intends to spend another $250 million on school security over the next five years. Also, the bond programs will go towards fixing the lead levels in drinking water after certain water outlets were not meeting the proper standards. The bond programs will pay for the replacement of portable classrooms with new classroom buildings equipped with air conditioning and Chromebooks. The district will also build five joint-use sports field which it shares with the city. Lastly, the bond programs will go towards the installation of solar panels to help achieve the district’s goal of zero net energy consumption by 2030.
Photo by Tra Nguyen
