Measure AS Facilities Bond 2024
Many of our schools were built nearly 60 years ago and have urgent repair needs. Measure AS will address the most urgent health and safety repairs needed in our neighborhood schools. The last couple of years have seen a record number of school shootings in the U.S. We need to keep our schools, students, and staff safe. In addition, we have other significant safety concerns, such as repairing aging roofs, plumbing, restrooms, and deteriorating gas and sewer lines; removing asbestos and lead paint; updating outdated electrical systems and security and fire systems; and making earthquake safety repairs and improvements.
Our effective, inclusive partnerships with every part of our community --with students, parents and teachers, local civic leaders, and global enterprises help maintain Arcadia Unified School District’s academic excellence. That’s why your input to our Spring community survey and conversation has been extremely valuable to maintaining our 11 award-winning schools and our reputation as the top 1% of schools in the nation.
On July 23, the Board of Trustees voted to place Measure AS – The Arcadia Unified School District School Safety and Repair Measure on the November 5 ballot for voter consideration. If adopted by voters, Measure AS will allow our District to address the educational priorities the Arcadia community has identified, such as continuing to provide clean water, safe classrooms and school sites, preparing students for college and careers, and requiring all funds be spent on Arcadia schools.
Measure AS is a $358 million education bond that costs approximately $60 per $100,000 of assessed, not market, property value. The Measure’s strong fiscal accountability standard includes a specific project list detailing exactly how the money will be used, independent Citizens' Oversight, and public disclosure of all spending.
News articles about Measure AS:
World Journal: Arcadia School District Pushed Forward Bond Project to Raise $358 Million to Upgrade Facilities
AUSD Today: Measure AS in 60 seconds
ABC7 News: Highland Oaks & Arcadia Schools Participate in Safety Preparedness Great Shakeout
APN: Measure AS (Extended Version)
LAist: Measure AS: Arcadia Unified School District Facilities Bond
Fox11: School Shooting Safety Arcadia Unified Answers the Call
Arcadia Unified Financial Advisor & Underwriter
Arcadia Unified has and will have a separate financial advisor, which is Government Financial Strategies (GFS), for Measure AS. You can visit its website here. GFS is separate from the underwriter or bank that purchases the bonds. GFS is only our financial advisor, they do not underwrite the sale of bonds.
Since about 2012, Government Financial Strategies (GFS) has been our financial advisor that only represents the district’s interests when selling bonds. They have no independent stake in who purchases district bonds. GFS helps us find an underwriter or bank through a competitive bid process to keep costs as low as possible and provide maximum dollars for our schools. We did this when we sold bonds in 2014 and 2020, and refinanced bonds in 2017 and 2020, saving taxpayers $80 million. You can read more about that here.
Measure AS Fact Sheet
Arcadia Unified School Safety & Repair Measure
School Safety
- The last couple of years have seen a record number of school shootings in the U.S., putting thousands of students and staff in harm’s way.
- Upgrade and add cameras, door locks, alarms, key fobs, lighting, buzzer systems, and emergency communications.
- All of our 9,000 students from ages 4-18, as well as our thousands of staff and community members who are on our campuses, should feel safe and secure.
- Upgrade fire and earthquake readiness with retrofitting and upgrades.
- A safe school allows our teachers to continue to prepare our students for college and careers and to keep Arcadia Unified in the top 1% of the nation's school districts.
Accountability
- Measure AS includes strict fiscal accountability and safeguards such as public disclosure of all spending, a citizens oversight committee, and annual independent financial audits.
- Zero money will go to administration or staff salaries, or pensions, and all money will be spent on Arcadia Unified schools and cannot be taken by Sacramento.
- There are matching bond dollars from the state which Arcadia Unified will be eligible for if Measure AS passes.
- A Facilities bond is the only way for California school districts to significantly upgrade their schools and infrastructure.
Urgent Repairs
- Many Arcadia Unified Schools were built in the 1950s, more than 70 years ago.
- Continue to provide clean and safe drinking water and air.
- Fiber optic internet cables were installed more than 30 years ago, and must update lines to improve speed and ensure reliability.
- Remove asbestos and lead paint, outdated electrical wiring, aging roofs, plumbing, gas and sewer lines.
- During a year-long Facilities Master Plan process, the community committee identified more than $700 million in needs. Measure AS would raise $358 million.
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- More information at https://www.ausd.net/apps/pages/MeasureAS.
- Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
- Arcadia and L.A. County residents may register to vote here.
- View printable/download Fact Sheet here.
Arcadia Community and Budget Issues Survey Results
The Arcadia Unified School District, via FM3 Research, recently conducted a follow-up survey to gather community input on budget issues and potential funding measures. The results highlighted a strong community commitment to maintaining and enhancing the quality and safety of local schools. With nearly 70% of participants expressing favorable opinions about the district, it is evident that the community values the high standards upheld by Arcadia schools.
A significant portion of the survey focused on the critical need for additional funding to support various upgrades and safety improvements. Half of the voters acknowledged this need, reflecting a slight increase from earlier this year. This funding is essential to continue providing safe, secure, and modern learning environments for our students.
The proposed Arcadia Unified School District Safety and Repair Measure aims to address several key areas. These include updating aging classrooms and labs, improving security and fire safety systems, repairing roofs and plumbing, ensuring clean air and water, and removing hazardous materials like asbestos and lead paint. The funding for these projects will come from a bond measure, which, if approved, will authorize $358 million in bonds. This measure will levy $60 per $100,000 of assessed property valuation, raising approximately $23 million annually. Strict fiscal safeguards will be in place, including public disclosure of all spending, citizen oversight, and annual independent financial and performance audits, ensuring transparency and accountability.
School safety remains the district's top priority, with plans to enhance emergency communication systems, and upgrade lighting, door locks, cameras, and alarms. These measures are crucial to protecting students, teachers, and staff from potential threats and ensuring a secure learning environment.
The survey also underscored the importance of preparing students for future success by upgrading STEM facilities and integrating modern technology into classrooms. This investment will help students remain competitive as they pursue higher education and careers.
In California, school districts must pass bond measures to secure the necessary funding for such projects. The Arcadia community's support is vital to maintaining the high standards of education and safety that residents expect. For the past two years, Arcadia Unified School has been ranked in the top 1% of school districts in the country, and last year was named the best school district in Los Angeles County. By supporting this measure, voters can ensure that Arcadia schools continue to provide excellent education and a safe environment for all students.
Arcadia Unified School District
Protecting Quality Education and Student Safety
Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) serves 9,000 students at 11 award-winning schools. Thanks to our hardworking students, teachers, and staff, AUSD is ranked in the top 1% of school districts in the country.
Upgrading Aging Local Schools
While the quality of education in our schools is outstanding, most of our classrooms and school facilities were built decades ago and need upgrades to support current educational and safety standards.
Planning for Future Upgrades
While much has been accomplished since Measure I was passed nearly twenty years ago, many upgrades are still needed. Important areas to improve include security, fire and earthquake safety, educational technology support, accessibility for students with disabilities, and updates to classrooms and science labs to support the highest-quality academic instruction
possible.
Locally Controlled Funding for School Improvements
To ensure all Arcadia students attend school in safe and modern classrooms, the Board of Education is considering placing a school facilities improvement bond measure on the November 2024 ballot. While no decisions have been made, a measure could
provide locally controlled funding to:
- Keep schools clean, safe and provide safe places for children to play
- Remove asbestos, lead pipes and lead paint to provide safe drinking water and air quality Improve fire safety by replacing aging gas lines, updating aging electrical systems and improving smoke alarms, detectors and sprinklers
- Improve school security with emergency door locks, panic buttons, security cameras and communications systems
- Ensure all schools meet modern earthquake safety standards and are accessible for students with disabilities
- Update classrooms and labs to support quality instruction in math, science, technology, engineering, reading and writing programs
- Replace aging and failing sewer lines, restrooms and kitchens
Continued Fiscal Accountability
Any school facilities improvement bond measure would require strict fiscal accountability protections, including:
- Required public disclosure of all spending
- An independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee and annual audits to ensure funds are spent as promised
- All funds must be locally controlled to support AUSD schools only
- No funds could be taken by the State
Share Your Priorities 
As AUSD plans for the future of our local schools we value input from the community. Please complete our survey to share your priorities for local schools. The survey can be taken online by clicking the links below.
English Survey: tinyurl.com/Survey-AUSD
Chinese Survey: tinyurl.com/Survey-AUSD-CH