Berryessa Union School District

We provide an excellent education in Berryessa Union School District, with highly-qualified and dedicated teachers and staff, rigorous academic programs, and hardworking students. Our students consistently earn top scores on state and national tests and go on to succeed in high school, college, and beyond. However, to continue providing high-quality education, our schools need to be updated and repaired to meet today's educational standards and ensure student safety.

 

Student safety is our top priority, yet improvements are needed to ensure student safety. Specifically, access control, security cameras, fields, and fire alarm systems need to be updated, and fields need to be improved.

 

Here in the heart of Silicon Valley, we are keenly aware that the requirements for success are rapidly changing. Our classrooms, labs, and learning technology need to be modernized to meet today's educational standards and support high-quality math, science, and art programs.

 

Although some of our classrooms and facilities have been updated recently, many of our facilities are decades old and in need of repairs. Necessary repairs include upgrades to restrooms, heating and cooling systems, and school kitchens.

 

To update and improve our schools to support a high-quality education, the Berryessa Union School District Board of Trustees is considering placing a local school facilities bond measure on an upcoming ballot. Although no final decisions have been made, a measure may help to:

A local measure would require fiscal accountability, including:

Although no final decisions have been made, the Board is considering a $98 million bond measure that would cost approximately $28.50 per $100,000 of assessed value per year as long as bonds are outstanding. All funds would stay local to support our schools.

 

Yes. All funds would stay in our community to support classrooms and school facilities in Berryessa Union School District. No funds could be taken away by the State or go to other communities.

 

Only property owners who pay property taxes would pay the cost. However, landlords may pass all or a portion of the cost of a measure on to their tenants.

 

No.  By law, Prop 39 General Obligation Bonds cannot include an exemption for seniors. 

 

Bond measures and parcel tax measures are used for different purposes — bond measures can fund facility upgrades and improvements and cannot be used for operating costs or programs. Parcel taxes may be used for teachers and academic programs.

 

Yes. In 2014, 69% of local voters approved Measure L, a bond measure to make essential updates to our schools. The independent citizen oversight committee has reported that all projects have been completed on time and on budget. You can learn more about the projects on the district website here. This measure has helped complete the first phase of improvements to our schools. Today, however, many of our schools continue to age and need safety and modernization improvements to meet current standards.

 

By law, a citizens' oversight committee must form within 60 days after the Board enters the election results into Board minutes. The committee must be made up of a minimum of seven volunteer members who serve a term of two years each. Composition of the committee must include representatives from the business community, a senior organization, a taxpayer organization, a PTA member as well as a parent with children in the District. In addition, no employee, vendor or contractor of the District could be a member of the committee.

 

If you are interested in serving on the oversight committee, please contact Dr. Roxane Fuentes at rfuentes@busd.net.

 

Berryessa schools are among the best in the county, making this community a desirable place to live. A potential measure would allow Berryessa Union School District schools to continue offering an excellent education, which helps keep property values high and neighborhoods strong.

 

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Kevin Franklin, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, at kfranklin@busd.net.