Measure O:
Measure O was passed in 2020 to provide 30.5 million dollars of funding to address the construction needs at San Juan Elementary. Recognizing that this project needs to start, we have successfully worked with our Bond Consultant and other agencies to successfully issue the first 5 million dollars from Measure O. The economic indicators were with us on the date of the sale and we got a very good rate, better than expected. We also have secured an A+ rating, the same rating we have had in the past which placed us in a favorable light for those purchasing bonds. As of Dec 8, we will have the $5M in the bank to begin funding the plans for projects. Taxpayers need to be reminded that Measure O was structured as a tax extension, which means that they should not see much if any of a tax increase due to it. It will become active and fill in behind other bond measures as earlier ones get paid off and disappear.
Progress on HVAC:
My first week as your Interim Superintendent was during a heat spell we had in late August/early September. It became clear to me that we needed to roll up our sleeves and see what we could do/should do to start addressing the HVAC issues on all campuses. So, as promised, we have been working hard to review projects that must be completed using Measure M dollars versus those that are optional in order to identify monies we can allocate toward HVAC needs at all sites. Here is an update for you on this project.
Work that has occurred to date:
San Juan School:
Gymnasium is Air conditioned
Windows on sun impacted classrooms are now tinted
Aromas School:
Windows on sun impacted classrooms are now tinted
Aromas gymnasium air conditioning project is planned to be completed by next fall, dependent on timely arrival of equipment. This is to replace the swamp cooling system and will give Aromas a large cooling area.
Our next Facilities meeting on Dec 7 at 4:30 pm (District Annex) is a time when we will look in more detail at other specific HVAC options, costs, and timelines related to all of our sites. This committee will make some recommendations that will be taken to the Board for consideration/action on Dec. 14. We are moving forward as fast as we can but this will be a process that depends on availability of equipment and approval processes we don’t have control over. So please bear with us!
Access to our Facilities:
We have completed a joint use agreement with the City of San Juan to enable residents to access our basketball courts and pickleball courts during non-school hours and holidays. On school days, our custodian will open the gate by the courts at 5pm and lock it at 7pm at the end of his shift, assuming darkness has not fallen. On non school days/holidays, the City will unlock the gate at 8am and lock up at 7 or 8pm depending on the season and available daylight.
We are also moving forward with Facilitron, an online scheduling reservation platform that anyone can use and access to make reservations for specific use of any of these areas or sports fields. Facilitron has a calendaring feature so you can see if they are available as well as what fee you will be charged. Fees establishment is based on many factors such as if you are a nonprofit organization or not. All reservations are of course dependent on availability as school events and needs will be prioritized. We realize we are a small community so where possible, we want to share our spaces while prioritizing our students’ needs and safety.
Superintendent Search
The most important hiring process for your next Superintendent has begun as the Board hired Leadership Associates, an executive search firm to oversee that process. They will begin by gathering information from all of you about the characteristics important in the next Superintendent. Expect invitations to meetings to discuss this and critical surveying to take place. All of this information will be used to compile a profile to use for recruitment when they will seek a slate of applicants for the Board to interview, likely in January. If all goes well, a new Superintendent will be issued a contract in March with a start date July 1, unless they are available sooner. I will do my best to ensure a smooth transition occurs.