BOND MEASURE AA 2018
Preparing Milpitas Students for Excellence
Our Milpitas schools provide a strong academic foundation and innovative programs that prepare students to excel in higher education and future careers. We have outstanding schools, yet many of our classrooms and facilities need basic safety repairs and updates. Leaky roofs and windows need to be replaced, lighting and earthquake safety need to be improved, and other updates, such as fencing and security cameras, are needed for student safety.
Some of our schools are already overcrowded—and enrollment in our schools continues to increase. For example, the current enrollment at Milpitas High School is 3,220 students, which is more than it was originally built for. We need to provide additional classrooms, labs, and facilities to relieve overcrowding at our elementary, middle, and high schools. We want to build a second high school campus at our Ayer site to create a dynamic, science and career focused high school program.
The Board of Trustees has considered all options for improving our schools. The District worked with teachers, staff, parents, and the community to review our needs and develop a plan for our schools. On August 1st, the Board elected to place a Bond Measure on the November 6, 2018 ballot, the cost would be a maximum of $60 per every $100,000 of assessed value on a property (not market rate). The Milpitas School Safety and Classroom Upgrade Measure is a $284 million bond.
We want to hear from you!
Please share your priorities for our schools and any questions you may have. You can complete our online survey by clicking here. Your feedback is critical to developing the plan for our schools.
Learn more by clicking here:
Facilities Needs and Cost of Measure AA Presentation
Informational Mailer
Master Facilities Planning Presentation
Some of our schools are already overcrowded—and enrollment in our schools continues to increase. For example, the current enrollment at Milpitas High School is 3,220 students, which is more than it was originally built for. We need to provide additional classrooms, labs, and facilities to relieve overcrowding at our elementary, middle, and high schools. We want to build a second high school campus at our Ayer site to create a dynamic, science and career focused high school program.
The Board of Trustees has considered all options for improving our schools. The District worked with teachers, staff, parents, and the community to review our needs and develop a plan for our schools. On August 1st, the Board elected to place a Bond Measure on the November 6, 2018 ballot, the cost would be a maximum of $60 per every $100,000 of assessed value on a property (not market rate). The Milpitas School Safety and Classroom Upgrade Measure is a $284 million bond.
We want to hear from you!
Please share your priorities for our schools and any questions you may have. You can complete our online survey by clicking here. Your feedback is critical to developing the plan for our schools.
Learn more by clicking here:
Facilities Needs and Cost of Measure AA Presentation
Informational Mailer
Master Facilities Planning Presentation
Board Discussions and Presentations Regarding Facilities Needs:
August 22, 2017 - Facilities Needs and GO Bond Planning
November 14, 2017 - Facilities Needs Analysis and Developer Fees
December 12, 2017 - Facilities Priorities Report for Potential Bond Measure with Estimated Expenditures
April 26, 2018 - Special Study Session on Ayer Site
June 12, 2018 - Ayer Facilities Committee Report with Estimated Expenditures for MUSD Facilities Needs
August 22, 2017 - Facilities Needs and GO Bond Planning
November 14, 2017 - Facilities Needs Analysis and Developer Fees
December 12, 2017 - Facilities Priorities Report for Potential Bond Measure with Estimated Expenditures
April 26, 2018 - Special Study Session on Ayer Site
June 12, 2018 - Ayer Facilities Committee Report with Estimated Expenditures for MUSD Facilities Needs
Frequently Asked Questions
How are our milpitas Schools Doing?
We are proud of our Milpitas schools, which provide a strong academic foundation and innovative programs that prepare students to excel in college and future careers. Our District provides empowering learning opportunities for all students; however, our classrooms need to be improved. As enrollment in our schools has increased over the years, we need additional classrooms to relieve overcrowding in our elementary, middle and high schools. In addition, our classrooms and educational facilities need repairs and updates. Leaky roofs and windows need to be replaced, lighting and earthquake safety need to be improved and other updates, such as fencing and security cameras, are needed for student safety.
What is the local November Bond measure?
To relieve overcrowding and make repairs and upgrades to our schools, the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to place the Milpitas School Safety and Classroom Upgrade Measure, a $284 million bond measure, on the November 6, 2018 ballot. All funds from Measure AA would stay in our community to support our schools.
What would measure AA fund?
Measure AA would provide locally-controlled funding to:
- Improve student safety and school security
- Relieve overcrowding and add classrooms and science labs at Milpitas elementary, middle and high schools
- Build a second high school campus at our Ayer site
- Repair leaky roofs and windows
- Upgrade science labs and classrooms for career technical education and workforce training programs
- Update learning technology in Milpitas classrooms and science labs to prepare all students for higher learning institutes and 21st-century careers
Would all the funds from measure AA stay local?
Yes, all funds would stay local. The measure includes strict fiscal accountability provisions:
- Annual audits would be required
- An independent citizens’ oversight committee would ensure all funds are spent only on voter-approved projects to support Milpitas schools
- By law, funds could never be taken away by the State or used for administrators’ salaries or benefits
How could the measure address growing enrollment in Milpitas High school?
Our high school is already overcrowded. The current enrollment at Milpitas High School is 3,210 students, which is far more than it was originally built to accommodate. As more students attend our schools, we need more classrooms to relieve overcrowding and accommodate our growing student population. The local measure would provide additional classrooms, science labs and school facilities to support career technical education and to prepare students for college and their future careers. Additionally, we can build a second high school campus at the Ayer site.
could measure AA relieve overcrowding at our elementary schools?
Yes. The local measure could provide new classrooms to relieve overcrowding at our elementary schools. Specifically, the measure could provide new classrooms and facilities at Randall Elementary and Mabel Mattos Elementary so that more students can attend their neighborhood school.
The first phase of the new elementary school was just completed; however, the school only has the capacity for 238 students and will be open to lower grades only. In order to expand the school to students in 4th – 6th grade, the school will need to have capacity for over 700 children. This measure could provide additional classrooms and school facilities to complete the new elementary school.
The first phase of the new elementary school was just completed; however, the school only has the capacity for 238 students and will be open to lower grades only. In order to expand the school to students in 4th – 6th grade, the school will need to have capacity for over 700 children. This measure could provide additional classrooms and school facilities to complete the new elementary school.
HOW MUCH WILL THE MEASURE COST?
The cost of the measure is limited to no more than $60 per $100,000 of assessed value per year (not the market rate). The potential duration of the Bond measure is until 2047; however, the District expects the duration to be between 20-25 years.
WOULD THE MEASURE ENABLE THE DISTRICT TO BUILD A SECOND HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS?
YES!
The Ayer site on 1331 E. Calaveras Blvd. is an excellent location for a second high school campus. Currently the district offices are located in five of the buildings at this location, and with future forward design thinking, those buildings can be replaced to create an additional high school focused on STEM and pathways to career. Through corporate and community partnerships, the students would have opportunities for applied learning in the sciences, math, technology, computer science, business, and civil services, to name a few. Envisioning the possibilities for a new way of teaching and learning that brings learning into the community and prepares students for the future of work is what will make this second high school campus state of the heart.
A second high school campus on existing district owned property is not only fiscally responsible, it is an investment in our students and community. The estimated building cost is $34M. This is not only a responsible solution to our second high school question, it is the pioneering answer to preparing our students for their future careers.
The entire Ayer site would become a true educational park encompassing the current Milpitas Adult Education School, Calaveras Hills High School and our new high school, the Milpitas High School Pathways Institute (unofficial name), and could potentially serve up to 1,000 students or more.
The Ayer site on 1331 E. Calaveras Blvd. is an excellent location for a second high school campus. Currently the district offices are located in five of the buildings at this location, and with future forward design thinking, those buildings can be replaced to create an additional high school focused on STEM and pathways to career. Through corporate and community partnerships, the students would have opportunities for applied learning in the sciences, math, technology, computer science, business, and civil services, to name a few. Envisioning the possibilities for a new way of teaching and learning that brings learning into the community and prepares students for the future of work is what will make this second high school campus state of the heart.
A second high school campus on existing district owned property is not only fiscally responsible, it is an investment in our students and community. The estimated building cost is $34M. This is not only a responsible solution to our second high school question, it is the pioneering answer to preparing our students for their future careers.
The entire Ayer site would become a true educational park encompassing the current Milpitas Adult Education School, Calaveras Hills High School and our new high school, the Milpitas High School Pathways Institute (unofficial name), and could potentially serve up to 1,000 students or more.
Could funding from measure AA be taken away by the state?
No. All funds generated by this measure would stay local to support Milpitas Unified School District schools. The measure would require annual audits and an independent citizen oversight committee. None of the funds could ever be taken by the State.
have we ever passed a bond Measure for our schools?
In 2012, over 64% of Milpitas voters approved a local school bond measure to address overcrowding in the elementary and middle school grades as well as make upgrades to our schools. The citizens oversight committee has reported that all bond projects have been completed on time and under budget. To view their reports, click here: http://www.musd.org/bond-and-construction.html#cbocmeetin
Did we just pass a Parcel measure for our schools?
In 2014, over 73% of Milpitas voters approved the renewal of a local parcel tax measure that had been in place since 2010. This measure renewed the expiring parcel tax at the current tax rate, without increase. The local parcel tax measure provides stable funding to protect core academic programs and retain qualified teachers. Parcel tax measures and bond measures are used for different purposes—a Bond measure can only fund Building and facilities upgrades and Parcel tax measures can only fund Programs, think 'B' for buildings and 'P' for programs.
What about new families moving to Milpitas?
Students living in new housing developments would attend our schools and would be accommodated within our district. Any new home owners in our community would share in the cost of the local bond measure.
Could measure AA address TRAFFIC ON ESCUELA PARKWAY?
The amount of traffic on Escuela Parkway is a concern for all of us. While this is a City issue, the District would like to work on this problem with the community, as it would require a change in how we travel to and from school. Given that the Hetch Hetchy runs down the middle of Escuela parkway, the City and the District cannot modify the land above it. We are eager to work with the City and the community to find a solution. An immediate step we are taking is to promote the drop-off zone that the City has set aside on Jacklin Road just west of Escuela Pkwy.
When will measure AA appear on the ballot?
The Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place this local Measure AA on the November 6, 2018 ballot. Measure AA needs to be supported by 55% of those who vote on it to pass. All registered voters in the Milpitas Unified School District are eligible to vote on the measure.
How I can receive more information or ask questions?
As we continue to discuss facilities needs at our Milpitas schools, we welcome your comments and questions. For more information about Measure AA or our schools, please contact Superintendent Cheryl Jordan at cjordan@musd.org.
