Facilities Bond - 2024
We Want to Hear from You!
Colusa Unified School District welcomes your comments and questions as it evaluates a phased approach to address the needs of our local schools. To voice your opinions and share your priorities for CUSD, please take this survey. Continue reading to learn more about Colusa Unified’s funding needs.
Repairing Aging Schools to Meet Today’s Safety and Educational Standards
While Colusa Unified strives to meet the needs of our community and students, our local schools have not kept pace with today’s safety and education standards. Most of our classrooms were built nearly a century ago and don’t meet modern education and safety standards. Classrooms and science labs are outdated, and some contain hazardous materials including asbestos and lead pipes, while others need basic repairs and security upgrades. These needs are beyond what can be funded by our operating budget.
Locally Controlled Funding for School Upgrades
To ensure all students have access to safe and modern educational facilities, the Colusa Unified Board of Trustees is considering a phased approach to address the top priorities for our schools. Phase 1 would include placing a $13 million school facilities improvement bond measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
Funds from the potential measure could be used to complete Phase 1 priority projects:
- Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes from older school sites, where encountered
- Provide classroom and facilities with technology needed to support high quality instruction in math, science, engineering, and technology
- Update or replace safety and security systems
- Improve access for students with disabilities
- Repair or replace deteriorating roofs, windows and old plumbing, sewer, heating, ventilation, and electrical systems
A potential measure would be limited to $60 per $100,000 of a property’s assessed (not market) value and would allow our schools to qualify for state and federal matching funds that would otherwise go to other districts.
Fiscal Accountability and Oversight Required
Any potential school facilities bond measures would include strict fiscal accountability protections to ensure responsible management of locally controlled funds, including:
- A detailed project list indicating projects that could be funded with Board of Education approval
- Public disclosures of all spending would be required
- A citizens’ oversight committee and independent audits would be required
- All money raised by the measure would be controlled locally and could not be taken by the State
Learn More!
To learn more about steps CUSD is taking to plan for the future of our neighborhood schools, take a look at the links below. You may also share your thoughts and priorities by taking our survey.
- We want to hear from you! Take our survey HERE.
- Queremos saber su opinión! Responda a nuestra encuesta AQUÍ
- Fact Sheet HERE
- Hoja informativa AQUÍ
- Frequently Asked Questions HERE
- Preguntas frecuentes AQUÍ
- Community Mailer
- Correo Comunitario