The possible impact of Measure S: Marysville Joint Unified School District superintendent addresses bond proposal

Feb. 9—With several area school districts seeking bond measures in the March 5 primary election, Marysville Joint Unified School District stands out in its push for Measure S, a $97-million bond which could fund a new middle school and various facilities improvements, if approved by voters.

District officials have previously spoken on their need for a new middle school serving south Yuba County as more homes continue to be built in the area. Marysville Joint Unified is unique in that it covers the majority of Yuba County, serving families as far north as Challenge and as far south as Arboga.

South of the Yuba River, there are nearly 5,000 TK-5 students living in the district's boundaries who will most likely attend Yuba Gardens Intermediate School, the primary middle school servicing this area. Arboga Elementary School also recently completed an expansion project allowing for seventh and eighth grade students to join.

However, district officials believe there is an inequity between the northern and southern parts of the district as some schools could struggle to accommodate the growing number of incoming students that coincide with housing developments in south Yuba County. While sixth grade has been added to some elementary campuses, district officials believe another middle school is necessary to address the growing student population in the long-term.

Measure S is expected to help finance the land acquisition and construction of a new middle school and related facilities, designed to address student housing needs and reduce school overcrowding.

Facilities upgrades for all school sites has been a priority for the district in recent years with some projects being funded by previous bond measures and others like the classroom expansion at Covillaud Elementary School coming to light through district funds and emergency relief. Districtwide, Measure S will also fund other facilities projects such as new gyms at Foothill Intermediate School and Lindhurst High School along with various maintenance and modernization projects.

As a general obligation bond, Measure S will need 55% of voter approval to pass. Officials estimate that the highest tax rate would be around $45 per $100,000 for properties within district boundaries, which would generate around $5.8 million annually, should the bond measure pass.

Those against Measure S believe that Marysville Joint Unified's existing budget should cover any future modernization projects rather than sourcing funds from taxpayers.

"Some schools may be older, but all have gone through multiple updates and serve their communities well. Every classroom in the district is networked to the internet with computers. There are no children in log cabin schools studying by firelight. Ongoing maintenance is a district responsibility in its $178 million budget!" said Edward Nemanic, a retired teacher who wrote an argument opposing the measure.

To better understand the purpose of Measure S, the Appeal asked Superintendent Fal Asrani to explain its necessity and impact on the district.

Q: Marysville Joint Unified School District (MJUSD) has made a number of facilities improvements and modernization projects in recent years. What remaining projects would benefit from funds generated by Measure S?

A: Remember that MJUSD does not get any money from the state to build schools. Since 2021, we have invested over $50 million from the district's general and one-time funds to improve several school sites — Covillaud Elementary School ($20 million), Foothill Intermediate School ($15 million), the Marysville High School track and sports facilities ($7 million) and the Lindhurst High School track ($5 million). These were high-priority projects for decades. We are finishing these without any bond funds.

The next three large projects we need to complete are also long overdue and clearly identified in Measure S. — Build a new middle school on the property MJUSD owns on Hammonton Smartsville Road. Because of the surge in new housing and the requirement of enrolling 4-year-olds in Transitional Kindergarten (TK), we need to take urgent action. Our elementary schools are full with no classroom space for additional enrollment. Bringing in portables are costly and a temporary fix as space is needed in multiple elementary schools. By building a middle school, with grades 6-8, elementary schools in Linda and Olivehurst will become TK-5, which will open up more classroom space. — Build a new gym facility for Lindhurst High School, which has only one gym and is seriously impacting sports and other activities. Remember Marysville High has two gyms. — Build a gym at Foothill Intermediate School. Unlike McKenney Intermediate and Yuba Gardens Intermediate, Foothill Intermediate has no gym at all.

These three issues have to be addressed now.

Q: Current projects like the Covillaud expansion were done without the use of bond funds. How would a bond assist the district in carrying out similar projects?

A: Since 2008, our community has not allocated new bond funds to support our schools. Unfortunately, school districts do not receive facilities funds from the state. The most viable solution to address both student and facility needs is by rallying community support for the passage of the Measure S bond. This bond, with an approximate annual cost of $132 for a property assessed at $400,000, translates to just $11 per month — equivalent to the price of a McDonald's combo meal. It's crucial to note that the funds generated by this bond cannot be directed towards salaries; rather, they must be utilized to construct essential facilities, including a much-needed middle school and two gymnasiums.

Q: District officials have previously spoken on the need for a new middle school serving south Yuba County. What are the district's enrollment projections for the next few years? What issues could students and staff face due to overcrowding?

A: MJUSD is a growing district. Despite the demographic report from March 2023 projecting a growth of around 120 students in the 2025/26 academic year, the recent surge in new home constructions indicates substantial growth in Yuba County. With Yuba County leading the state in growth, it's imperative to be prepared for a long-range solution. This action is to realign our TK-6 schools in south Yuba County to cater to TK-5 students and establish a new 6-8 grade middle school to accommodate the rising population. This will address the enrollment and lack of space issues for many years to come.

The shortage of classrooms and space poses a significant threat to the educational environment, impacting safety and limiting access to sports, arts, and music facilities. The current lack of space has resulted in an increased number of students being transported to schools outside their neighborhoods, depriving them of the shared experiences with their neighbors. This not only affects individual students and families, but also undermines community cohesion. Moreover, the extended travel time between school and home is detrimental to everyone involved. While creating new school boundaries may offer a temporary solution, it falls short in addressing the long-term sustainability of the issue.

Q: Why is building a new school preferable to expanding existing elementary schools?

A: Expanding elementary schools to include gyms, additional restrooms, kitchens, and student extracurricular facilities across 16 sites is financially impractical. Most of our elementary schools do not have space to build another school with additional facilities. We already have the land at Hammonton Smartsville, about 2.5 miles from Edgewater Elementary School and downtown Marysville. Constructing an intermediate school for grades 6-8 is a more viable solution, allowing for the inclusion of gyms, music centers, larger multi-purpose rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. Many of our elementary schools lack the necessary space for these substantial expansions.

Q: Approximately how many students would a new school serve?

A: A new middle school is set to accommodate students in grades 6-8. That will also mean that Yuba Gardens will become a 6-8 school. This entails relocating sixth grade students from the six elementary schools south of the river — Linda, Ella, Olivehurst, Edgewater, Cedar Lane, and Johnson Park — to the middle schools. Consequently, Yuba Gardens and the new middle school will serve approximately 550 students in grades 6-8. Additionally, this arrangement offers expanded space for music, arts, and sports programs and provides another middle school option to students in this district.

Q: Where is MJUSD at in the planning process for this development?

A: While the district already owns the property designated for the new middle school, the commencement of the planning process hinges entirely on securing funding. Although renderings from 2012 offer a preliminary blueprint for construction, the actual planning phase cannot progress until sufficient funding is secured.

Q: Is MJUSD currently paying off other bonds? If so, do you believe it's fair to voters to ask for their support in another measure?

A: There are two bonds from 2006 and 2008 that are currently being repaid. These funds paid for several critical projects such as libraries, gyms, math and science buildings, additional classrooms and cafeterias. Remember that all our schools, except Edgewater Elementary, were built between 1950 and 1970, and these additions were needed to keep our learning environments current. These appear on residents' property tax bills. Since these two bonds passed almost 20 years ago, the community has not passed any other bond to support aging facilities and student enrollment growth. Therefore, the district took two loans in 2012 and 2021. The district pays for these two loans. The community does not pay for these loans. It is paid from our own general funds.

Since almost 20 years ago the community has not funded any bonds to address aging facilities and community growth, we need new facilities and classrooms. The measure is necessary if the community is invested in making our schools the best they can be to further the overall success of the community at large.

Q: What could happen if Measure S fails to pass?

A: The community must remember that when schools look good, it raises the value of the homes, attracts more investment and has an overall positive impact on the region. Roads are built, traffic signs go up, more facilities for the community to enjoy as well. Schools are the center of every community. Adults must make a significant commitment to the community they live in and understand the way schools are funded.

We don't receive funds for construction. If the community comes together and commits to the belief that our students belong to the community, then they will understand that investing in students is investing in the future. Without adequate funding, the prospect of a new school remains bleak. The consequence: Students will be forced to endure long bus rides to schools beyond their designated boundaries in a bid to alleviate the strain of overcrowding, and the district will start adding portable classrooms to mitigate overcrowding — an expensive solution that will take the district's funds away from improvements that we continue to make to our old and aging facilities.

The shortfall in space not only impacts academic settings, but also casts a shadow over athletic programs, which are already grappling with limited resources. Lindhurst High School, a rapidly expanding institution, witnesses athletes extending their practice hours well into the evening due to the scarcity of gym slots. It's imperative to acknowledge that athletics play an integral role in our students' holistic development on par with the importance of arts and mathematics.

Highlighting the lack of Foothill Intermediate gym facilities further underscores the pressing need for improved facilities. As the sole middle school in the district without a gymnasium, Foothill Intermediate's students face significant barriers in their athletic, music and performance programs.

It's abundantly clear that the provision of a gymnasium at Foothill Intermediate is long overdue and imperative for the enrichment of our students' educational experience. It would be a big disappointment if the community fails to come together to better the educational options for our students.

Q: How far could this set the district back in terms of facilities improvements?

A: If Measure S fails to pass, the repercussions on facility improvements could be significant and wide-ranging. — Delay in facility upgrades: Without the necessary funding from this bond measure, the timeline for crucial facility additions and renovations would likely be pushed back indefinitely. This delay could exacerbate existing issues such as overcrowding, outdated infrastructure, and the safety of our students and staff. — Increased cost: With rising cost of construction and materials, this project would have been completed at a much lower price if the bond had passed in 2018. Now it is going to be more expensive. If we delay again, the cost will rise more. The community can't deny the need and there will never be a good time to pass a bond. Why delay and make the situation more expensive? — Continued strain on existing facilities: Continuing operations with limited resources and subpar facilities would mean ongoing challenges and an optimal learning environment. Overcrowded classrooms, inadequate amenities, and outdated technology might persist without the essential funds required for improvement, compromising the overall educational experience for students. — Impact on educational quality: Inadequate facilities can directly impact the quality of education students receive. Outdated or overcrowded classrooms may hinder effective teaching and learning practices. Insufficient resources for extracurricular activities, such as athletics and arts programs, could also diminish the overall educational experience for students. Inequity would continue with students in TK-6 schools not getting the same level of access to music, arts and sports as 6th grade students in middle schools. — Safety concerns: Without funds for necessary safety upgrades, schools may struggle to address safety hazards and infrastructure vulnerabilities. This could jeopardize the well-being of students, staff, and visitors, potentially leading to avoidable accidents or emergencies. — Missed opportunities for growth: Failure to pass a school bond could mean missed opportunities for growth and innovation in education. Modernizing facilities, incorporating new technologies, and expanding programs to meet evolving educational needs may become unattainable goals without the necessary funding.

Overall, the failure of a school bond to pass would likely have adverse effects on facility improvements, ultimately impacting the quality of education and the well-being of students and staff. Without the passage of this bond measure, no new facilities will be constructed and the district may also need to consider alternative solutions like year-round school to help alleviate crowding.