Voters continued to voice opposition to Measure GG, which would generate up to $26.7 million to improve Career Technical Education (CTE) facilities in the Ramona Unified School District.
As of Monday evening, the measure had 54.91% of votes against and 44.09% in favor.
Measure GG was proposed to generate funds to expand, renovate and revitalize existing, or build new classrooms and school facilities, for college preparation, vocational and career training programs, proponents say.
Superintendent Brian Thurman, a strong supporter, said it would be the district’s first bond measure if passed. Six bonds proposed by the district, including a 2012 proposal for $66 million and a 2014 proposal for $40 million, failed to pass in the elections since 1986.
If approved, the measure would have given the district the opportunity to seek matching funds from the state if statewide ballot measure Proposition 2 is approved by voters, Thurman said. Prop. 2 proposes to allow the state to borrow $10 billion to build new or renovate existing public school and community college facilities.
“I’m disappointed, of course, that we will lose out again,” Thurman said about the early results. “But that’s what the community wishes. That’s what we do. We’ll have to do the best with the budget we have.”
“It would have been a benefit to the community,” he said about the CTE project. “It’s unfortunate for the students.”
Trustee Daryn Drum also expressed disappointment, adding that the school district will “continue to do the best with what we have.”
“I think our schools need those funds. It looks like the statewide bond that would provide matching funds is ahead early. So there are matching funds we could potentially miss out on, which is unfortunate for our schools.”
The measure would authorize the school district to issue and sell general obligation bonds. The funds to repay the principal bond amount with interest would be raised by taxing Ramona property owners $59 per $100,000 of their assessed property values each year, generating $4.3 million annually.
The funds could also be used for upgrades to science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) facilities. Other wish-list items include improved security systems, additional fencing, walkways and lighting, and repair of outdated portable classrooms in addition to general repairs such as replacing roofs.
