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Vote Tuesday on future of new CalCity schools
Extends existing school bonds
DESERT NEWS STAFF REPORT
CALIFORNIA CITY — Voters in this city will go to the polls Tuesday
to decide whether two new schools in the city can be completed soon.
Measure E on Tuesday’s ballot will ask voters to extend the bonds approved
in 2002 for another nine years.
When voters approved the original bond measure Mojave Unified School
District officials believed it would more than cover the cost of building
California City High School and Hacienda Elementary School.
But a couple of unforseen factors combined to jack-up the price of
building these two vitally-needed schools.
First, environmentalists combined with a sluggish state bureaucracy
imposed all sorts of delaying tactics.
While this was going on, a housing boom doubled and tripled construction
costs.
This “perfect storm” has left the district some $24 million short of
the funds it needs to complete these two schools.
If Measure “E” passes, the average homeowner will continue to pay up
to $160 for each $100,000 of assessed valuation (as opposed to market value)
per year on his or her property tax bill.
Schools open
Both schools opened for the Fall term last month, but money is needed
for sports fields, a gym at the high school, and other facilities. By using
pre-built modules the school district was able to keep costs down and expedite
construction. But if the bonds are not extended, students will go without
full facilities for several years.
The DesertNews supports a “Yes” vote on Measure E. “If you want to
see California City continue to grow, vote “yes” on Measure “E” on Sept.
18th,” said Editor/Publisher Bill
Deaver.
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Graphic shows what will happen at the new California City High School if city voter approve Measure E on next Tuesday’s ballot. Money raised by extending the existing school bonds will allow the Mojave Unified School District to complete the high school and the new Hacienda Elementary School. MUSD GRAPHIC
Commission action speeds high school project
BY DEBBY BADILLO, Mojave Desert News
CALIFORNIA CITY - A conditional use permit approved March 9 by the planning commission puts the California City high school another step closer to reality, but final approval for construction will come from the state.
The municipal code allows the school, the city's first high school, to be built within this zone with the conditional use permit. Final approval for the permit will come from the city council. The school will be built on a 63.64-acre site owned by the school district near Mendiburu Road and Rusche Boulevard. The high school's address will be 8567 Bolden Drive.
Passage of Prop. 55 means the district will collect enough in state
funds and bond assessments to build the $22 million school, as well as
an elementary school on Hacienda Boulevard. The district and the city will
pay to improve the site, including street paving, water and sewer line
extensions, and adding curbs and gutters. The planning commission approved
the permit 3-0, and no one from the public objected to the project. Construction
is expected to start in the fall.
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