Lemoore voters continue winning streak by easily passing high school's Measure L

On Tuesday, November 8, Lemoore area voters approved at $24 million bond measure to provide its students with an improved learning environment by constructing new facilities and making repairs and upgrades to existing classrooms and buildings, many of which are also used by and available to the community, such as the library and sports’ fields.

School officials insist that bond proceeds will not be used for teacher or administrator salaries and only for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities. In addition, the board of trustees will appoint a “Citizens’ Oversight Committee” to oversee the project from start to finish.

The district is likely to have access to a total of $30.5 million. In addition to the bond measure, the district could receive $832,000 from developer fees, $1.1 million from the capital reserve fund, and possible funding from the state to the tune of $4.4 million.

One of the major projects is expected to be the demolition of one of the school’s oldest structures, the small gymnasium, located in the heart of the main campus. The adjacent home economics building, just east of the small gym, is also slated to be demolished, and in its place school officials say a new classroom complex will be constructed at a cost of $6.5 million.

The local high school district easily won the bond measure, collecting 63 percent of the vote. The District needed only 55 percent for passage. When the final votes were tallied by 4:38 Wednesday morning, Measure L passed with 3,836 yes votes and 2,215 no votes.

Lemoore’s superintendent was quick to react to its passage. “The community of Lemoore has always been very supportive of Lemoore Union High School District, and we really appreciate their votes in passing Measure L,” said Debbie Muro. “We are looking forward to adding some beautiful new facilities for our students.”

Lemoore voters, in its 115 year history, have been generous to the local high school, passing all but one bond measure during that tenure. The only bond that failed was a 1923 general obligation bond that would have built a new high school at what is now its current site. But a year later, Lemoore’s voters had a change of heart and passed a $325,000 measure that provided the funds for the school’s main building – which still stands at the corner of Lemoore Avenue and Bush Street.

The latest LUHS bond to pass muster was a $9.3 million measure in 1997 that passed easily, providing funding for the Event Center as well as upgrades and renovations to many campus facilities.

In 1990, voters approved a $2 million measure to construct a new swimming pool, which will get a facelift with funds provided by the expected passage of Measure L.

The general obligation bond will cost the typical property owner about $27.50 a year – based on every $100,000 of assessed valuation per year. Assessed valuations are often lower than market values.