Whittier Union will place a $183.5 million facilities bond on the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot to address necessary repairs and renovations, improve school safety and technology, and upgrade career education and science/computer classrooms across District facilities – fostering high quality educational environments that attract talented teachers and provide students optimal learning spaces in which to thrive.
Voters previously supported Measure C in 1999 and Measure W in 2008, authorizing $173 million to transform schools into modern, state-of-the-art facilities. Augmented by state and federal matching grants, the bond sales funded improvements to classrooms and buildings, libraries, gymnasiums, cafeterias, quads, infrastructure and athletic facilities.
The District concluded its construction program in 2019.
Although the District regularly keeps up with maintenance of its buildings, which range from 60 to over 100 years old, ongoing basic repairs are necessary.
If the bond is not approved in November, taxpayers will see a reduction in their property taxes of 3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. If approved, however, tax payments would remain the same and replace existing Measure C taxes that expire in 2023 and Whittier Union will receive funding for proposed campus improvements. A Citizens Oversight Committee would be formed to review expenditures and ensure funds are spent as authorized.
Proposed Project List
- Improve school safety and security
- Provide safe drinking water
- Upgrade fire safety systems
- Improve student access to health services at school
- Prepare for natural disasters and public health emergencies
- Remove asbestos lead paint
- Upgrade outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Repair leaky roofs and deteriorating bathrooms
- Expand vocational and career education classrooms
- Construct a moderately-sized performing arts theater on the SEC campus
- Upgrade science and engineering classrooms, computer labs and libraries
- Improve instructional technology for online education
- Provide 21st century learning at each school
- Upgrade outdated electrical wiring
- Improve wi-fi access for online learning