Fiddyment Farm and WestPark Neighborhood Associations are non-profit member of the Roseville Coalition of neighborhood Associations and as such cannot endorse or oppose any candidate or bond measure.  The presentation was arranged for the sole purpose of educating members of our public to the content of the proposed Measure D. 

On October 13, 2016, members from the Roseville Joint Unified High School District gave a 42-minute overview of the proposed Measure D for this year’s election ballots.  The pending bond measure will seek approval for $96,000,000 in school bonds.  Presenting were Ron Severson (Superintendent), and Joe Landon (Finance Officer); Shannon Blockton was also present from RJUHSD). 

Ron Severson said Measure D would cover two purposes:

1. To cover a funding gap that would provide funds needed to build the 6th high school.  If passed, the school would break ground in 2018 and open in the fall of 2020.
2.  All the other schools need updating, renovating, and to provide equity so all schools would have the same equality for education.  He said Roseville High is 103 years old; many schools need roof replacement, have dry rot, require mechanical and/or electrical projects, have deteriorating pool decks, or gym floors which need replacing.  He wants equity in the facilities, like similar dance areas for all.

Mr. Severson said 1,000,000 more workers with college degrees will soon be needed to meet new technology and scientific positions that are currently being filled by workers from out of the country. 

He gave future projected 2022 high school enrollments:

Oakmont - 2617 (currently at 2200)

Roseville - 2039

Woodcreek Oaks - 1574

Antelope - 1724

Granite Bay - 1338

The 6th high school will be the largest in the region; will grow to 1,000 in the next 4-5 years.

Joe Landon said the district School Board is very conservative with its finances.  He talked about the refinancing of existing bonds to get lower rates to save money.

Measure D asks for approval of $96 Million of bond funding.  If passed, he estimates it would be approximately a $15 assessment per $100,000 of assessed home value; approximately $60 for an average $400,000 home.

He said funds used for the 6th high school would be in two phases:

Phase 1 - $110 Million needed.  $80 million would be produced from current SFID #1 assessments from West Roseville Specific Plan homeowners and impact fees taken when permits are pulled.  The additional $30 Million would come from the bond to fill the gap the state won’t pay.

Phase 2 - would come 3-5 years after Phase 1 is completed; no additional bond funds would be needed (ongoing construction and more fees would pay that).

The other $66 Million of the bond approval would be used for upgrading the other schools as previously mentioned.  A Citizen’s Oversight Committee would be appointed to ensure funds are spent only as authorized.  An independent audit would be performed annually.  No monies would go towards salaries.

He said as other bond assessment end, by 2021 fees should be about the same as people are paying now, and paying only for Measure D by 2031.  He stated having the 6th high school should increase home values.

Mr. Severson and Mr. Landon then addressed questions from the audience, including:

• Will there be district boundary changes?  No changes are projected until the 6th high school is built.
• What will Phase 2 be?  3 additional buildings will be added, funded from developer fees.
• What will be covered? A projects list is available to the public on the Placer County “Measure D info” website.
• There is concern because Measure D barely addresses the 6th high school?  Bond consultants who created the ballot language worded it to be broad to appeal to all voters.
• How is the board locked into spending?  It can’t be too specific because they need flexibility to assure priority items are covered; costs may be more than projected.  However, the Oversight Committee will monitor the expenditures.

If Measure D does not pass, what will happen?  Mr. Severson said they’ll come back in 2018 for another bond measure, but it will cost more later.

(photos courtesy of Joe Van Zant)