Schools Using New Tactics in 2nd Try With Bond Measures

For the second time in six months, school officials in Thousand Oaks and Moorpark are asking voters for more than $100 million in school bonds--this time with an aggressive campaign to let residents know what the money could buy.

Both districts are gearing up for special elections on April 14 to raise money for school modernization and construction projects. Voters in November turned down the bonds--which require two-thirds majorities--by slim margins.

The amount of money sought is unchanged: Measure V would authorize issuance of $97 million in bonds for the Conejo Valley Unified School District, and Measure W would provide $16 million for the Moorpark Unified School District.

Both districts have offered detailed lists of how they intend to use the money, although they would not be bound to those.

In Thousand Oaks, most of the bond money, $63 million, would go toward renovation projects such as fixing pipes, adding air conditioning and repairing roofs, officials say. About $34 million would go toward construction of facilities such as a pool, gymnasiums and classrooms.

In Moorpark, a relatively young school district, most of the money would go toward accommodating enrollment growth. Intended projects include $9 million in work at Moorpark High School, such as a new gym, classrooms and science labs. Bond money also would go toward improving technology and renovating Flory Elementary School and Chaparral Middle School, the two oldest campuses.

Although prohibited by law from campaigning for the bonds, school officials are allowed to provide factual information to voters.

This time, district officials are pushing hard to inform the public about school needs, sending home brochures with students and holding public meetings at which slides of run-down campuses are shown.

The actual campaigns are being run by committees of residents who support the bonds.

In Moorpark, committee members plan to walk precincts in March, a step not taken in the last campaign.

Supporters in Thousand Oaks are targeting preschool parents, handing them voter registration cards.

And bond backers in both cities plan to put together advisory boards of residents and parents to aid in decisions about construction and modernization plans if the bonds pass.

Supporting the bonds are teachers unions in both cities.

“It is essential to have funding so our children may have an optimal learning environment and to fully achieve the benefits of class size reduction,” wrote Moorpark Educators Assn. President Cynthia Beynun in a statement backing that city’s measure.

In Moorpark, “we’ve been working very, very hard to educate and let the public know how important the bond is,” said Mindy Yaras, a parent and member of the Measure W committee. This time, “we’ve been one step ahead,” she said.

One tactic Moorpark bond boosters have employed--though not without criticism--is to send each child home not only with a detailed list of how the $16 million would be used, but also with a voter registration card.

The low number of yes votes in November from absentee voters--most of whom did not receive fliers before the election--helped defeat the measure last time.

Thousand Oaks, on the other hand, is concentrating on being more specific about what the schools need. Officials were criticized for not being forthcoming with information before the last election.

“We got a real loud message from the community that they wanted to know more, so we’re letting them know more,” said Gary Mortimer, an assistant superintendent.

The district will send letters to parents explaining what the bond is and pictures illustrating work needed at each school. In addition, officials plan to send absentee ballots home with students.

The Thousand Oaks bond committee has held three presentations to inform the public about school needs, with meetings also scheduled today, Wednesday and March 16.

Among other points Conejo Valley district officials make is that their list of projects already exceeds the $97 million the bond would raise.

The latest list shows $101 million of work, and that number could increase with inflation, school officials said. They hope state grants will make up the difference.

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As in the fall campaign, the Ventura County Alliance of Taxpayers is opposed to the two bond measures.

The 300-member group, which wrote ballot arguments against the two measures this year, has not supported a bond measure in its five-year history.

Opponents argue that the districts should respect voters who rejected the measure the first time. They also object to the districts’ decision to put the bonds on the ballot in April, a special election that costs more to hold than it would as part of the regular June primary.

“The voters voted no in November, and within two months [the districts] were filing for special elections, costing taxpayers $100,000,” said alliance President Jere Robings. “If they wanted a reasonable election, they would have waited until June.”

Though the price tag won’t be clear until after elections, county elections officials estimate it will cost $20,000 to $25,000 to place Moorpark’s measure on the ballot and more than $100,000 for Thousand Oaks’.

School officials counter that waiting several months would delay needed work. They also argue that the June ballot, cluttered with everything from the fate of bilingual education to a new bill on restricting the size of school administrations, could draw attention away from their bonds.

At meetings held by Conejo Valley officials last week, about 20 people turned up at each to question the need for sandboxes and other proposed construction items. They also have expressed concerns about the length of time needed to pay off the bond.

“It doesn’t make sense to borrow money on a 30-year bond on equipment that has a 15-year life,” such as air-conditioning units, said Robings.

Another point of contention is the role district officials play in the campaign.

The taxpayers alliance criticized the Moorpark School District for sending voter registration cards home with the children.

“I’m not sure that’s the role of the school,” Robings said. “It’s wonderful to teach people how to vote, but they weren’t interested in that type of civic lesson before the measure.”

Gary Huckaby, a spokesman for the state Fair Political Practices Commission, said information sent home with students that does not advocate a particular vote is legal under the state Political Reform Act.

He can point to at least one instance, though, in which a school district crossed the line.

The Solano County Community College District last year was found in violation after officials mailed brochures that painted a “doomsday scenario” that might result from failure of a bond measure, rather than providing only factual information, Huckaby said.

FYI

More information about the bond measures is available from school district officials.

* Moorpark: Visit the district office, 30 Flory Ave., or call 378-6300.

* Thousand Oaks: Visit the district office, 1400 E. Janss Road; call 497-9511, Ext. 205, or go to the district’s Web site, https://www.vcss.k12.ca.us/conejo/. Public meetings on the bond issue are at 6:30 tonight at Westlake High, Wednesday at Sequoia Middle School and March 16 at Thousand Oaks High.

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Conejo Valley Spending Priorities

The Conejo Valley Unified School District is asking voters to consider a $97-million bond measure on April 14 to pay for renovations and construction projects. The district wants to modernize its campuses and build four middle school gyms and a pool at Westlake High School. Here is the district’s list of spending needs at each campus, totaling more than $101 million, and top projects for each school:

School: Acacia Elementary

Year built: 1963

Estimated cost: $2.23 million

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Modernize restrooms

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School: Aspen Elementary

Year built: 1967

Estimated cost: $1.78 million

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Paint classroom interiors, refinish cabinets and counters

*

School: Banyan Elementary

Year built: 1967

Estimated cost: $1.83 million

* Renovate restrooms

* Build lunch patio cover

* Renovate irrigation system

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School: Colina Middle

Year built: 1964

Estimated cost: $4.96 million

* Build gymnasium

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Install computer technology and communication lines

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School: Conejo Elementary

Year built: 1958

Estimated cost: $2.17 million

* Improve front parking lot

* Paint interiors, refinish cabinets and counters

* Install classroom computer wiring

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School: Conejo Valley Adult School

Year built: 1960

Estimated cost: $1.23 million

*

School: Conejo Valley Continuation High

Year built: 1924

Estimated cost: $8 million

* Relocate or modernize campus

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School: Cypress Elementary

Year built: 1974

Estimated cost: $1.82 million

* Replace roofs and walkways

* Replace carpets

* Upgrade air conditioning and heating

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School: Dos Vientos Elementary

Year built: 2001

Estimated cost: $910,000

* Maintenance, security and class-size reduction

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School: Glenwood Elementary

Year built: 1963

Estimated cost: $1.92 million

* Upgrade air conditioning and heating

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Repair irrigation and drainage systems

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School: Horizon Hills Preschool

Year built: 1967

Estimated cost: 1.54 million

* Paint and weatherproof exterior

* Paint interior, refinish cabinets and counters

* Repair asphalt parking lots

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School: Ladera Elementary

Year built: 1963

Estimated cost: $2.16 million

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Improve parking lots

* Re-roof classrooms

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School: Lang Ranch Elementary

Year built: 1998

Estimated cost: $910,000

* Maintenance, security and class-size reduction

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School: Los Cerritos Middle

Year built: 1972

Estimated cost: $4.44 million

* Build gymnasium and refurbish restrooms

* Install classroom computer wiring

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School: Madrona Elementary

Year built: 1964

Estimated cost: $1.55 million

* Construct classroom buildings and restore learning laboratory

* Refinish cabinets and counters

* Repair and replace plumbing fixtures

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School: Manzanita Elementary

Year built: 1964

Estimated cost: $2.21 million

*

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Replace flooring

* Build covered outdoor eating area

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School: Maple Elementary

Year built: 1974

Estimated cost: $1.92 million

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Cover and upgrade outdoor eating area

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School: Meadows Elementary

Year built: 1961

Estimated cost: $1.97 million

* Replace flooring

* Build additional classrooms

* Modernize buildings, including restrooms

School: Newbury Park High

Year built: 1965

Estimated cost: $9.94 million

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Renovate restrooms

School: Park Oaks Elementary

Year built: 1960

Estimated cost: $2.23 million

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* Install air conditioning and heating

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Modernize buildings

*

School: Redwood Middle

Year built: 1966

Estimated cost: $4.79 million

* Construct gymnasium

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Upgrade technology and computer wiring

School: Sequoia Middle

Year built: 1969

Estimated cost: $5.07 million

* Build gymnasium

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Repair and expand play areas

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School: Thousand Oaks High

Year built: 1961

Estimated cost: $5.42 million

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Renovate restrooms

* Renovate gym and locker rooms

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School: Triunfo Elementary

Year built: 1976

Estimated cost: $1.68 million

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* Replace flooring in classrooms

* Replace flooring in multipurpose room

* Install crawl-space ventilation system

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School: University Elementary

Year built: 1964

Estimated cost: $2.04 million

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Install computer wiring

* Renovate irrigation system

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School: Walnut Elementary

Year built: 1961

Estimated cost: $2.41 million

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Remove asbestos floor tiles and replace with carpeting

* Paint inside and outside of school

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School: Weathersfield Elementary

Year built: 1962

Estimated cost: $1.84 million

* Install air conditioning and heating

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Build facilities for class-size reduction

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School: Westlake Elementary

Year built: 1971

Estimated cost: $1.8 million

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Modernize restrooms and plumbing fixtures

* Renovate playground and blacktop areas

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School: Westlake High

Year built: 1978

Estimated cost: $9.43 million

* Install classroom computer wiring

* Renovate restrooms

* Build swimming pool, tennis courts and stadium visitor center

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School: Westlake Hills Elementary

Year built: 1975

Estimated cost: $2.87 million

* Replace upper-grade temporary buildings with permanent structure

* Renovate lunch shelter

* Build two additional restrooms

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School: Wildwood Elementary

Year built: 1972

Estimated cost: $1.24 million

* Repair roof on kindergarten and upper-grade rooms

* Build outdoor eating shelter

* Replace phone lines, intercom system, fire alarms*

OTHER PROJECTS

District warehouse, maintenance center

Year built: 1982

Estimated cost: $5 million

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11 classrooms at unspecified schools

Estimated cost: $1.85 million

Source: Conejo Valley Unified School District

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Moorpark Spending Priorities

The Moorpark Unified School District is asking voters to approve a $16-million bond measure on April 14 to pay for school improvements. Most of the money would go toward upgrading the district’s largest campus, Moorpark High School. If approved, the money would pay for new classrooms, science labs and a gymnasium at the high school. In addition, district officials say every classroom would be wired for computers and Internet access. Here is the district’s projected distribution of funding, not including a margin for inflation:

School: Arroyo West Elementary

Year built: 1991

Estimated cost: $624,000

* Build two permanent classrooms with two restrooms

* Wire all classrooms for computers and Internet access

* Install a telephone in every classroom

* Build handball courts

* Reshape the slopes to create more school space for classrooms or playground area

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School: Campus Canyon Elementary

Year built: 1988

Estimated cost: $697,000

* Build two permanent classrooms with two restrooms

* Wire all classrooms for computers and access to the Internet

* Install a telephone in every classroom

* Expand the parking lot

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School: Chaparral Middle

Year built: 1959

Estimated cost: $1.1 million

* Build a library with a computer center

* Install new lighting, carpets, plumbing, shelving, window treatments, cabinetry and roofing in some wings

* Install a telephone in every classroom

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School: Flory Elementary

Year built: 1928

Estimated cost: $1.04 million

* Build a library with a computer center

* Install new lighting, carpets, shelving, window treatments, cabinetry and roofing in some wings

* Wire all classrooms for computers and Internet access

* Install a telephone in every classroom

* Purchase playground equipment and improve playground surface

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School: Mesa Verde Middle

Year built: 1994

Estimated cost: $671,500

* Build an outdoor performing arts amphitheater for plays, assemblies and graduations

* Expand parking lot

* Wire all classrooms for computers and Internet access

* Install a telephone in every classroom

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School: Moorpark Community High

Year built: 1993

Estimated cost: $684,000

* Construct two permanent classrooms

* Convert the science classroom into a science laboratory

* Wire classrooms for computers and Internet access

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School: Moorpark High

Year built: 1988

Estimated cost: $9.06 million

* Build 10 permanent classrooms

* Build five science labs

* Build a second gymnasium and second music building

* Convert seating area in the current gymnasium into an eating area, student services office and classrooms

* Wire all classrooms for computers and Internet access

* Install a telephone in every classroom

* Expand parking lot

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School: Mountain Meadows Elementary

Year built: 1987

Estimated cost: $224,000

* Wire all classrooms for computers and Internet access

* Build additional restrooms

* Redesign playground to create more space for classrooms

* Install a telephone in every classroom

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School: Peach Hill Elementary

Year built: 1984

Estimated cost: $565,525

* Build a library with a computer center

* Build restrooms

* Wire all classrooms for computers and Internet access

* Install a telephone in every classroom

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OTHER PROJECTS

All elementary schools will receive playground safety matting, a type of cushioning laid below playground equipment

Estimated cost: $50,000

Source: Moorpark Unified School District