From the Desk of the Superintendent
Superintendent Deborah A. Flores, Ph.D.
March 16, 2000
Letter to the Community from Deborah A. Flores, Ph.D.
On behalf of the Board of Education and more than 9,500 students in the Santa Barbara High School District, I would like to thank the voters of Montecito, Santa Barbara, and Goleta for their investment in the future of today’s students and the students of tomorrow. Your support of a $67 million General Obligation Bond will be used to improve the infrastructure and modernization of seven aging junior high, middle, and high school campuses. Now, 56 portables in the High School District that are over 25 years of age will be replaced with new construction. This bond will permit construction of a long-awaited auditorium and the completion of an athletic stadium for Dos Pueblos High School, which will be a community resource for the 21st century. Bond monies will be used to undertake infrastructure and modernization projects at all seven schools in the High School District. Identified improvements include: refurbish community use facilities, such as libraries and athletic/recreational areas; replace cooling, heating, and ventilation systems; repair faulty plumbing; refurbish restrooms; install security systems; replace irrigation systems; rewire for cable t.v. and technology needs; install new fire alarm systems; paint building exteriors; refurbish classrooms. A list of each school’s infrastructure and modernization needs is available in both (English) and (Spanish).
Bond passage is meaningful on several levels. First, this is the third Santa Barbara School Districts’ bond to win community support during the past five years. In addition to the March 2000, passage of Measure V, in June 1995 Santa Barbara voters approved Measure R, a $6 million bond, permitting the Elementary District to rebuild Roosevelt Elementary School. We are pleased to report that the final phase of work is currently being completed at Roosevelt: removing the old portables, landscaping, and installing a new playground. But the most exciting news is that students and staff will be moving in to their new classrooms in mid-April.
In June 1998, the passage of I-98, a $25 million bond, targeted improvements at many other elementary school campuses. I-98 funds are earmarked for the construction of four permanent libraries at Adams, Franklin, Peabody Charter, and Washington Elementary Schools; removal and replacement of 43 portables that are more than 20 years old; infrastructure improvements at most elementary schools.
Second, under the current law, modernization projects are eligible to apply for State matching funds. The passage of Measure V will enable this District to qualify for state bond funds, based on an 80:20 match ($ .80 state bond investment to $ .20 local bond investment), when State modernization funding becomes available.
Third, the resounding success of the bond – approved by 71.88% of the voters – sends a very powerful message to the school community and also to potential residents and companies interested in locating to this community. It is a message that the Santa Barbara citizenry values its schools and invests in public education. That message is especially uplifting to the more than 1,600 educators, administrators, and staff in the Santa Barbara Elementary and High School Districts. Our team of professionals dedicate their daily lives to creating an outstanding educational environment for almost 17,000 students in grades K-12.
Fourth, an investment in our schools is an investment in the future of our community. By strengthening our schools, we are simultaneously investing in our neighborhoods, in our work force of tomorrow, and in a strong local tradition of excellence.
Bond passage now enables the High School District to move to the next phase of facilities planning. The list of infrastructure and modernization projects to be accomplished will be evaluated according to each school’s existing prioritized needs list and the completion of in-depth cost analyses.
We could not have reached this day without the tireless support of many, many individuals who were part of the planning process and/or provided information on school needs to the larger community. We are deeply grateful to the Master Planning Committees (composed of teachers, parents, and staff), and their respective architects, who met frequently over a period of months to assess facilities and determine school site needs; the cadre of Measure V supporters, beginning with co-chairs Irene Falzone and Nancy Harter, and treasurer Joel Silverman; the Santa Barbara Public Education Foundation, who helped provide information to the parent community.
But, most important, we would like to express our appreciation to you, the community. Hopefully, if you have passed by our secondary schools, you have already noticed banners at Dos Pueblos High, San Marcos High, Santa Barbara High, La Cuesta High, Goleta Valley Junior High, La Colina Junior High, La Cumbre Middle, and Santa Barbara Junior High – and the District Administration Office – with our heartfelt message: Thank you for supporting our schools!