Alameda Unified School District expects to spend from $250,000 to $300,000 on a bond strategy consultant.
A 2012 facilities study identified some $93 million in needed repairs across 17 school sites in Alameda. An Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) presentation for the August 27th Board of Trustees meeting cites a figure of $73 million, with no explanation for the $20 million discrepancy.
The types of repairs needed span the facilities spectrum from architectural repairs to plumbing, utility, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, communications and technology to energy efficiency work.
The school district hopes voters will approve a bond, and a corresponding property tax levy, to pay for the repairs.
To that end, they are considering paying up to $300,000 to a consultant to craft a strategy for a winning bond election.
The consultant and final cost estimate have not yet been determined.
The district is also looking at spending another $300,000 for further facilities analysis across 12 school sites, including geotechnical studies.
A secondary facilities assessment that began in November of last year is underway.
The overall $93 million figure from the 2012 report includes $20 million for the Alameda High School building; the district has been wrestling with what to do with that facility since moving administrative offices to 2060 Challenger Drive in Marina Village.
Calling for a bond election requires a two-thirds approval, or four votes out of five, of the board.
Proceeds of the bond can be used for the the acquisition and improvement of real property, furnishings and equipment, modernization and leasing as specified in a detailed project list.
The bond would be paid back via taxes collected through an ad valorem tax on property within the district.
The matter comes before the board at its August 27th meeting. The issue could be on the ballot in November of next year.
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The AUSD is spending tax payer money on a political campaign they plan to wage. That is illegal.
EDUCATION CODE
SECTION 7050-7058
7054. (a) No school district or community college district funds,
services, supplies, or equipment shall be used for the purpose of
urging the support or defeat of any ballot measure or candidate,
including, but not limited to, any candidate for election to the
governing board of the district.
(b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of any of the
public resources described in subdivision (a) to provide information
to the public about the possible effects of any bond issue or other
ballot measure if both of the following conditions are met:
(1) The informational activities are otherwise authorized by the
Constitution or laws of this state.
(2) The information provided constitutes a fair and impartial
presentation of relevant facts to aid the electorate in reaching an
informed judgment regarding the bond issue or ballot measure.
(c) A violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor or felony
punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or
by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both,
or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the
Penal Code for 16 months, or two or three years.