The Maxwell School District has been providing dedicated and excellent educational services to local children since its formation in 1927. Currently, the District educates an estimated 350 students at the District’s three schools. It is through the hard work and dedication of teachers and staff that directly contribute to the education and success of our students.

Our schools are outdated, and upgrades and renovations need to be made. The school buildings and facilities were built in the 1970s, and while facilities have been well maintained, old classrooms must be upgraded since many do not meet 21st-century educational and technological standards. Faced with outdated classrooms and the need to bring school facilities up to current standards, the District and Board of Trustees decided to place Measure A, a school improvement General Obligation (G.O.) bond measure, on the November 5, 2024, ballot to modernize and renovate our aging schools.

Over the last several months, with input from staff, teachers, parents, community leaders, and an architect, the District has prepared a School Facilities Needs Analysis. The Needs Analysis identifies the major repairs and upgrades that need to be made.

Specific projects identified include:

The attached Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) handout is provided to assist teachers, staff, and voters in understanding the facts behind Measure A and how its passage will affect the District, our students, and the community. Please take a moment to review the FAQ, and feel free to reach out to us should you have any questions on this important issue.

Although it appears that our schools are in good shape based on achievements by our students, our classrooms need significant repairs. Faced with aging classrooms and the need to bring school facilities up to current standards, the Maxwell Unified School District is considering placing Measure A, a general obligation bond measure on the upcoming November 2024 ballot that will modernize and renovate our aging schools. The following information is provided to assist voters in understanding the facts behind the proposed measure and how its passage will affect the District and our community.

Measure A is a $9.1 million general obligation (G.O.) bond program. This measure is intended to address the needs of the student population through modernization and renovation projects at the District’s three schools.

 

G.O. bonds fund projects such as the renovation of existing classrooms and school facilities, as well as construction of new schools and classrooms. Similar to a home loan, G.O. bonds are typically repaid over 25 to 30 years. The loan repayment comes from a tax on all taxable property - residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial - located within the District’s boundaries.

Our schools are outdated, and upgrades and renovations need to be made. While facilities have been well maintained, old classrooms must be upgraded since many do not meet 21st century educational and technological standards. A local school improvement measure would allow the District to improve the quality of the school facilities and education provided to local students.

 

Specific projects identified include:

 

 

The proposed measure will provide our students with a better learning environment by making repairs and upgrades to existing classrooms and school facilities; many of which are also used and available to the community, such as the libraries and playing fields.

 

If the proposed measure does not pass, our classrooms and school facilities will continue to deteriorate. In addition, funds that would otherwise go to classroom instruction will be needed to make critical safety repairs and improvements at each school. Consequently, major repairs will need to be postponed, and as a result, will likely be more expensive to make.

 

 

By law, all funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state. Furthermore, an independent citizens’ oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond funds are properly spent. Also, by law, there must be annual audits and no bond money can be used for teacher or administrative salaries.