We need to replace and upgrade our school well for safe and clean drinking water, replace deteriorating bathrooms, leaky roofs, fire alarms, security systems, and make upgrades to meet current handicap accessibility. Updating our classrooms will provide a stronger foundation in science and engineering, which will give students a greater opportunity for success in high school, college, and their future careers.
The upgrades and improvements needed at our older schools are beyond what can be accomplished by our maintenance team and funded by our regular maintenance budget. The State of California provides very limited funding for school improvements, and most state funding requires local matching funds.
Locally Controlled Funding to Repair & Upgrade Our Schools
To repair and upgrade Byron USD elementary and middle schools, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place Measure R, a $24 million school safety and modernization bond, on the November 2024 ballot.
Funds from Measure R would allow Byron USD to:
● Replace and upgrade our school well for safe and clean drinking water
● Update classrooms and labs for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math instruction
● Upgrade electrical wiring and computer network infrastructure to support student and classroom technology
● Repair and replace leaking roofs
● Improve safety by creating a single point of entry to our schools and update fencing, cameras, and security systems
Measure R would cost property owners $18 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value, for as long as bonds are outstanding. These locally controlled funds would also help qualify our schools for matching state and federal funds which would otherwise go to other districts.
Mandatory Fiscal Accountability & Local Control
All funds would be controlled locally and could not be taken away by the State
No funds could be used for administrator or teacher salaries or pensions
Independent oversight, audits, and reports to the community to ensure all funds are spent as voters intended
