The Encinitas Union School District seeks $158.3 million for campus renovations and modernization through Measure Z, a bond proposition on this November’s ballot.

“EUSD schools are important hubs for the community, and the District is committed to ensuring safe, secure and up-to-date facilities for all students and its dedicated employees,” the district stated in a Sept. 30 news release promoting the measure. “If approved by voters, funds will be used to make renovations and modernizations at every EUSD school.”

The Encinitas Union School District Board of Education approved the measure unanimously in May. The San Diego County Taxpayers Association announced its support of the measure on Aug. 2.

District voters last approved such a measure in November 2010, which was for a $44 million bond that was exhausted by spring 2022, according to the district. That bond supported districtwide solar installations and upgrades, in addition to infrastructure and devices.

Measure Z is aimed at tackling districtwide campus issues such as:

Leaky roofs, plumbing, sewage needs, drainage, HVAC systems and security systems.

The removal of portable classrooms and construction of permanent buildings.

Undersized classroom facilities.

Basic updates to classrooms and restrooms.

Specific needs at the district’s oldest campuses: Paul Ecke Central, Ocean Knoll and Capri.

Needed updates at site kitchens and the district’s central kitchen facility.

Reconstruction of the Flora Vista campus’ special education preschool building.

In its news release, the district noted that Paul Ecke Central School is nearly a century old.

“This ballot measure is projected to cost taxpayers $19 per $100,000 of assessed home value, not market value, annually, while bonds are outstanding,” according to the district. “After an extensive review process, the San Diego Taxpayers Association has supported Bond Measure Z.”

In its review of Measure Z, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association stated that the Encinitas Union School District “has demonstrated facilities needs and has developed plans that meet the rigorous standards on bond proposals that SDCTA has developed over decades of collective experience.”

More information about Measure Z is available at eusd.net/our-district/bond-2024-faq. The Taxpayers Association’s full report on the measure is available on its announcement page.

This news item is published as a community service by the North Coast Current and OsideNews ahead of the November 2024 election.