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Patterson Unified School District’s Measure V, a $50 million bond that would bring more money to public schools in the area, was approved by nearly two-thirds of local voters in Tuesday’s election.
More than 3,100 voted “Yes” while fewer than 1,700 voted “No,” giving Measure V 65.77 percent of the vote. The measure needed 55 percent to pass.
The money will come by way of tax revenue from property owners and will be partially matched by money from the state to help complete a long list of needed projects on local campuses.
District Superintendent Patrick Sweeney was grateful to the people of Patterson for passing the measure.
“Our first priority is to finish Walnut Grove School, with permanent classrooms, library and office and complete the agriculture science and vocational classroom at Patterson High School,” Sweeney said Wednesday.
Walnut Grove, on Hartley and Walnut avenues in eastern Patterson, is due to open in summer 2009 with 600 students when the first phase of construction is completed. The bond money would enable the second phase of permanent classrooms to begin construction soon after.
The new school will relieve overcrowding at Northmead Elementary School and Creekside Middle School, providing a better location for students who live east of Highway 33.
Besides Walnut Grove, many other district school projects need to be addressed. The district’s 10-year master plan put the needs in focus, and District trustees will prioritize those projects at the Dec. 8 board meeting, waiting the 30 days until the vote count is official before they start the process.
“We’ll plan the facility improvements over the next several years, because the money can only come in small increments to keep people’s taxes down,” Sweeney said. “We’ll also receive $25 million from the state in small increments as projects are approved.”
Among those projects are the agriculture, science and vocational classrooms at Patterson High, which would be modernized into a career center. Work could begin as early as spring 2009.
Many of the schools in the district have facilities and classrooms that are more than 40 years old and need to be repaired, modernized or wired for technology. And Creekside, which was completed a few years ago, does not have a cafeteria.
School board president Ruben Pina said Wednesday that some thought the bond would not pass because of the tough economic times, and when it did, “the voters made the ultimate sacrifice.”
“The voters from Patterson showed us that they rally care about the schools,” Pina said. “The administrators and the board are doing what it takes to serve every student.”
Bobby Yamamoto was the only trustee to oppose putting the bond on the ballot, because he was concerned about landowners and business owners being taxed in tough economic times. He said he called Sweeney on Wednesday to congratulate him on the vote.
“The people speak when it comes time to vote,” Yamamoto said. “We’re going to go forward and modernize our schools.”
Contact Maddy Houk at 892-6187 or
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Projects most likely included in the Measure V funds
Patterson High School
- Build a new ag/welding/auto shop for career and vocational education
- Build a new science center and vocational career center to enhance student opportunities in technology, business, agriculture and home economics
- Modernize the auditorium and theater facilities
- Build new restrooms for students, staff and stadium guests
- Complete school modernization projects and upgrade security, communications, electrical, computer and technology systems
Walnut Grove School
- Build a library, a student support and career center and permanent classrooms
Creekside Middle School
Might be included
Apricot Valley Elementary
- Build shade structure for courtyard
Del Puerto High
- Relocate and expand the alternative high school to include a technology center
- Build permanent classrooms
Grayson Charter
- Replace old portables with permanent classrooms
- Modernize teacher lounge; construct new library building
- Modernize and expand student and staff bathrooms
Las Palmas Elementary
- Modernize kitchen facilities
- Remodel and enlarge administrative office
- Construct a new library building; replace old portables with permanent classrooms
Northmead Elementary
- Demolish old kindergarten wing and replace old portables with permanent classrooms n Build shade structure
Rising Sun Elementary
- Install energy-efficient and quieter heating and cooling units
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