Vallejo Supt. Clark 'disappointed' with board decision on bond

Vallejo, Calif., school district Superintendent Adam Clark says he is "disappointed" by the school board's decision Wednesday night not to place a $194 million bond on the November ballot to address the district's crumbling facilities.

"We currently have over $250 million in facility infrastructure needs," Clark said. "These challenges are not going away."

Vallejo High School
C.C. Sabathia, now close to a deal with the Yankees played football, baseball, and basketball at Vallejo High School in Vallejo, California. Photo: Heidi Schumann for the New York Daily News. Original Filename: IMG_6200.jpg

Clark confirmed the district has several options, including waiting until 2020 to seek placement of a bond on that ballot. He noted that the district may resubmit the ballot resolution denied by the board, however this time, the district would seek two-thirds — or 66% — approval from the Vallejo electorate.

The $194 million bond — meant to repair classrooms, update science, computer, and technology labs, and improve security, fire safety and electrical and plumbing systems — failed to receive support from four of the five trustees as required by law.

If it had been cleared for placement on the fall ballot, that version of the measure would have only required support from 55 percent of Vallejo voters.

When asked of any other options, aside from a bond measure, the district could follow to address its facilities needs, Clark presented a grim picture.

"We are one or two catastrophic facility failures away from financial insolvency," Clark warned. "With that said, we will continue to rely on our dedicated maintenance staff to provide the necessary repairs that inevitably will be needed."

Last year the district contracted with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) to conduct a survey and gauge possible public support for a 2018 bond.

The firm revealed that at least 61% of the 601 surveyed said they would support a bond if it was on the ballot.

However, just 29% of the same people said they have a favorable view of the district while a majority of the participants, 57 percent, said they have an unfavorable view of the Vallejo City Unified School District.

The 61% became an important number during Wednesday's discussion as supporters of the $194 proposed bond said a measure requiring higher than 55% approval would not pass.

Prior to those survey results, the last bond survey was held in January 2016 and it concluded confidence in the district was around 37% with about 40% of those surveyed viewing the district unfavorably.

This is the second time in as many years the board failed to follow through regarding a measure.

VCUSD staff had sought board approval for placing two $139 million companion bonds on the 2016 ballot to repair school facilities. One measure was reserved for middle and high schools facilities, while the second was intended to assist the district's elementary schools.

In that case, Cayangyang and Worel voted against the bonds — mirroring the same 3-2 situation encountered Wednesday night.

Despite Wednesday's outcome, Clark said he was "impressed with our employees, parents, and community groups that supported the notion that our students deserve the right to attend schools that are not falling apart."

"I am inspired by the outpouring of support from over 40 community groups, that placed the children of Vallejo as a top priority," Clark added. "I look forward to continuing to partner with the governing board to ensure that Vallejo City Unified School District students, parents, and employees have the educational opportunities to reach their dreams."

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