Measure D funds $543 million in renovations for Sacramento schools. Should it pass? | Opinion

For the Sacramento City Unified School District, education in its aging set of buildings requires some modernization. Measure D, a $543 million bond on the November ballot, would continue the district’s ongoing renovation efforts. It is worth the support of voters, who should also be carefully monitoring the district’s budget priorities.

Sac City has been under scrutiny for its inadequate special education program, including a scathing critique by the Sacramento County Grand Jury for failing to improve the program. Measure D would direct funding to provide much-needed upgrading of counseling and Special Education facilities. Special Education requires more annual funding as well, which will require the board to hold the line on other costs such as compensation so that the district’s most needy students get the resources they deserve.

Measure D carefully targets other renovation needs throughout the district. They include:

• A renewal program at Hiram Johnson High School

• Upgrades to the John F. Kennedy High School Performing Arts Center

• Rosa Parks Elementary/Middle School upgrades

• Technology upgrades at various campuses

• And a new competition pool at McClatchy High School

Measure D would assess, on average, $35 per $100,000 of assessed valuation to retire the bond debt in the coming years. A citizens oversight board would oversee the spending to ensure that investments reach their intended targets.

Local funds from Measure D are essential for the district to seek and obtain matching state dollars. On the same ballot, Proposition 2 would create $10 billion in available state funds. But this money is expected to be exhausted in a matter of a few years. Already, school districts throughout California have applied for nearly $4 billion in state funds should Prop. 2 pass. School districts with renovation needs like Sac City must get their acts together and identify their local funding quickly to qualify for any available state funds.

Repairs to aging infrastructure may not be the sexiest public spending. But it’s essential to provide a safe and effective learning environment for both students and teachers. Measure D is one of those necessary steps toward a brighter education future for this critical district. Vote Yes on Measure D.