Measure “R”

Many school districts are relying on bond measures to help make ends meet.In an effort to explain Measure “R” the Oxnard School District held a bus tour of its newest and oldest facilities,The first stop was Juan Soria School near the Oxnard Airport.Soria opened in 2009.It is a Kindergarten through 8th grade school that’s known for it access to computers and modern classroom technology.School board members say they want other children to have the Soria experience.But most of the schools in the district are 50 to 60 years old and look rundown.The last remaining funds from a previous bond measure are paying for Soltek construction crews to build another school on the Driffell school site.But plans for more construction all depends on the passage of Measure “R.”It is a 90 million dollar General Obligation Bond Measure.Homeowners would pay it back with an annual fee that is based on the price they paid for their property.They would pay $30 dollars a year for every $100 thousand dollars in assessed property value.If the measure fails portable classrooms will become even more common in the district.If it passes the state will contribute another $65 million dollars to the district in matching funds.The district has a road map for a ten year master plan that includes more K-8 schools, a new middle school and two new elementary schools.They would also be able to remodel cafeterias.The district would also select an independent committee to make sure the money goes to classrooms and not salaries.Thanks to new election rules the measure only needs 55 percent of vote to win..Share your comments about this story with us on the KEY News Facebook page. Connect with KEY News on Twitter