LAUSD says it needs the $9 billion bond, Measure US, to renovate and repair its schools.
The Los Angeles Unified School District is asking voters to approve a $9 billion bond, Measure US, in the upcoming November election.
If LAUSD’ Measure US were to pass, it would authorize $9 billion that would have to be paid back — with interest — through local property taxes – that could last up to 35 years.
The district estimates that if the entire bond is issued, it will cost nearly $16 billion to repay.
(This measure is different than State Proposition 2, in which voters are asked to authorized $10 billion in bonds on a state-wide level for renovating schools and is also on the ballot and will be examined tomorrow.)
The LAUSD Board approved the bond on August 7, two days before the deadline to submit local measures for the general election. That meant there was little time for community members or other stake holders to review the details of the bond.
Even though 43% fewer students attend LAUSD schools than two decades ago, the money generated would be used to renovate and repair existing structures.
It is estimated that at least 60% of its facilities are at least 50 years old. LAUSD School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said there are no other resources available. The measure does list schools that could benefit from improvements, but the list is not a guarantee that those projects will be funded.
A Bond Oversight Committee would review the spending and then a project would need to be approved by the LAUSD board.
Some residents might ask about the lottery, which was supposed to contribute money to schools. When voters approved of the lottery, 34 cents of every dollar was slated for education. In 2020, The California State Auditor found the lottery had shorted schools tens of millions of dollars. (https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2019-112/summary.html)
LAist has provided the following table so that residents can figure the amount of tax he/she would have to pay that is associated with the proposed $9 billion bond if it passes:
To Calculate the impact of Measure US on your property tax
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- Find your property’s assessed value on the L.A. County Assessor’s website.
- Divide your assessed value by $100,000 and multiply that number by $24.05.
- The resulting number is the estimate of the annual property tax increase associated with Measure US.
- Remember: Your property’s assessed value will change, but increases are limited to 2% per year, except when a property changes ownership or undergoes new construction.
Endorsements:
Daily News “No.” The rushed nature of this measure, Measure US, is an insult to the taxpayers of LAUSD. If LAUSD knew a bond would be forthcoming, they should have had the decency to conduct thoughtful hearings vetting out how such a measure should look like.
Susan Shelly Columnist for Southern California News Group “No.” This is a massive and last-minute $9 billion bond, rushed to the ballot. It would raise property taxes another $25 per $100,000 of assed value on top of the current $128 per $100,000. On an $800,000 house that’s $1,224 per year just for LAUSD school bonds.
L.A. Times: “Yes.” This $9-billion bond measure is designed to help the Los Angeles Unified School District address the backlog of construction projects and the inevitable maintenance work that will arise in the coming years. Despite concerns that the district rushed this big bond to the ballot, it’s worth supporting because the needs are great, and students deserve safe and welcoming schools.
Children’s issues are always important, but how much more can be squeezed out of Los Angeles County homeowners. Newer buyers are slammed with inflated purchase prices AND, last I looked, can only deduct $10,000 of the tax on that amount on their tax return. Meaning we’re being taxed twice on every dollar of tax paid over $10K. How many times can a good cause come to that trough?