Vote 'Yes' on Lemoore Elementary School District Measure D to improve local schools

We think it's time to approve a similar measure for the Lemoore Elementary School District, which this fall placed a $26 million bond (Measure D) on the ballot. The local district, like many districts in California, is experiencing growing pains, and it needs desperately to modernize and rehabilitate its schools.

We think its time that all voters, set aside their philosophical differences about taxes and bond measures, and bring this latest attempt to improve our schools to fruition. The local district hasn’t attempted a bond measure since 2004. Well, it’s time to try again, for the sake of our kids and our future.

The high school’s measure passed in 2016 with 63 percent of the vote, needing just 55 percent for approval. The school has recently completed renovations in Tiger Stadium and is paving the way for additional classrooms and improvements.

The Lemoore Elementary School District currently maintains about 3,300 students in its seven schools. Proceeds from the bond measure will fund the renovation of existing classrooms and build new school facilities and modern classrooms. Included in the proposal are a new school and the funds needed to create a more energy efficient district.

School officials warn that should the measure fail, money generally used for kids “will be required to make critical safety repairs and improvements at each school. The district would postpone significant maintenance.

Measure D will cost property owners about $30 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. Assessed valuations are the value placed on the property by Kings County and are lower than market values. Additionally, the measure includes provisions for an oversight committee comprised of independent citizens who will oversee the bond funds.

Lemoore Elementary is not alone in its quest for modernization. According to CALMatters, about 90 state school districts this year placed bond measures on the Nov. 6 ballot. Our small but efficient Lemoore district is not alone in its quest to expand and make much-needed repairs to its aging facilities. Voters seem to be catching on, passing all but five of the 35 bond measures in the June 5 primary, and since 2012, 86 percent of bond measures have passed in California.

Lemoore voters should consider all this and approve Measure D on the Nov. 6 ballot.