The Board of Trustees of the Brentwood Union School District voted unanimously to place a school bond on the June 7, 2016 ballot.
“Measure B” Bond funds will be used to renovate and modernize the District’s older schools, upgrade libraries, science and computer labs, and build a new elementary school to avoid overcrowding. To win on Election Day, the proposal must be supported by a super-majority of 55%.
“Brentwood is a growing and thriving community.” Superintendent Dana Eaton said. “In 1990, our District served 1,300 with only 3 schools. Today, we have more than 8,800 students in 11 schools. We need a new elementary school because enrollment is expected to continue to increase over the next ten years. At the same time we need to take care of our existing schools so all students have the equitable classrooms and school facilities. Our community values the excellent school facilities in Brentwood and we want to keep them excellent”
The bond measure provides for strict accountability if approved by voters. An Independent
Citizens’ Oversight Committee will monitor all bond expenditures and annual audits will ensure bond funds are spent properly.
The average yearly cost to property owners in the Brentwood Elementary School District would be $28 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (not market value), generating $158 million for school facilities in Brentwood. Bond funds cannot be used for administrator salaries.
All of the funds generated by the bonds will pay for local school construction and renovation projects and cannot be taken away by the State.
Former Brentwood teacher and Principal Isaac Montanez said, “Measure B funds will be used to continue the renovation and modernization of all district schools, providing all of our students and teachers with comparable classrooms and facilities.”
The Brentwood School District has used a combination of bond funds, developer fees and state grants to build new elementary and middle schools as our community has grown. The District has been responsible to local taxpayers by refinancing earlier bonds resulting in property owners paying less in property taxes each year. As the State has fewer funds available for school facilities, the District must rely on local bond funds and developer fees to improve our schools.
Local dentist and former board member Dr. Paul Krey said, “When you ask someone why they moved to Brentwood, 90% of the time is because of the reputation of the Brentwood School District. Let us keep it going by supporting measure B.”
Local Businessman and Past Rotary President Dirk Zeigler said, “The Brentwood School District has done an outstanding job managing bonds over the years. Bond projects have been on time, on budget and the tax rate has been below estimates. Measure B will continue the community’s investment in elementary and middle schools. The value of every home and business in Brentwood will be strengthened by the passage of Measure B.”
Longtime Brentwood teacher and administrator Mary Black said, “Measure B provides local funds for our local schools that cannot be taken away by Sacramento. An oversight committee of local residents and annual audits will make sure all bond fund will directly benefit the students in our schools.”
Summerset resident and former principal Kathy Hampton said,” The students and the schools in Brentwood are our most important assets. We need to provide every child with opportunity to succeed in a safe and secure environment. Our classrooms and facilities need to be modernized to provide Brentwood students with 21st Century classrooms and libraries.”
For more information about the school bond, please contact Dana Eaton, Superintendent Brentwood Union School District at (925) 513-6300 or visit www.brentwood.k12.ca.us.
Measure B Fact Sheet – Click here.
16 comments
A big FAT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO from me. Fire service should come FIRST!
Do the math, most homes in Brentwood are $400k plus. $28 doesn’t seem much until you multiply it by 4, 5, 6, or 7 or more. If this passes, I would be forced to pay $168. That is $168 that could otherwise go to the fire District.
So I’m assuming you voted in favor of ponying up to fund our fire department given that there is a $168 of yours that could otherwise go to the District?
Maybe Brentwood should become known for its mediocre schools and then we’ll see how much your $600,000 house is worth in 5 years. The demand for housing might not be so great here in Brentwood if we end up with a run down school system.
Walkers Planet, you are kidding right? Brentwood known for its schools? Funny. I think you are mistaking Brentwood for Danville, Walnut Creek or LaMorinda. Not sure where you get your information but, Brentwood is already known as a mediocre school district.
You need to get past the realtor’s sales pitch that home values are determined by school districts. They aren’t. That is the oldest real estate trick in the book. Brentwood’s home values will always be sub par to communities like Discovery Bay (local example) and towns like Alamo, or Kensington. Reality check; 7 out of 10 homeowners could care less about a school district and are much more concerned about any number of other factors.
You could remove all the mediocre Brentwood Schools and you would still have the same mediocre home values in good old Brentwood. The biggest detractor for Brentwood continues to be our close proximity to Antioch and distance to major job & transportation hubs. That is what determines home value, while over bonding is a huge red flag.
I asked my realtor, “How good are the schools in Brentwood?” His reply was, “It depends how good you are as a parent.” That was a perfect answer. If you are a parent who is involved in your child’s education, your child will receive a great education. My sons went through the Brentwood Schools and Liberty High School. They attended the University of California. One became an attorney and the other is a successful business man.
Danville, Walnut Creek and Orinda may have higher test scores, but their residents have a higher level of education and make more money than residents in Brentwood. The parents also donate BIG dollars to their schools to fund computer classes, art classes, music programs and classroom supplies. They privatize their public schools with money that they donate. It’s cheaper than a $20,000+ tuition fee at a private school.
When are the schools going to start living within their budgets? Most. Voters are completely unaware that the schools already get 65 percent of our tax dollars!!! The rest of our services are left to make due with 35 percent. This includes all of our service from fire department to police.
Stop the “oh it’s for the kids” insanity. It’s time for the educational system to learn how to balance their own bank account.
Actually, for 2016, its more like this:
36% Healthcare
19% Pensions
15% Education
8% Welfare
7% Protection
6% Transportation
Source: http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/California_state_spending_pie_chart
Walkers Planet, we are talking about PROPERTY Tax bills and your numbers aren’t even close! It is on your tax bill and a fact that education (schools) take a 65 PERCENT bite out of your tax dollar. That’s right for every 1.00 you send to the county, city and special districts the schools take sixty five cents right off of the top. The rest of the agencies, (police, fire, county, city, parks, library, animal services, mosquito vector, etc) then carve up the remaining 35 cents.
It’s insanity and a very well kept secret up until now. Citizens have finally started “unlocking” their TRAs (tax rate area) and have figured out that not only does education take the lions share, but the school district trustees (who are often unaware of how much they already get) are the first in line to cry poor and ask for additional money. It’s criminal in today’s society.
It’s time we figure it out. Throwing more money into a educational hole is putting unrealistic burdens on our tax paying public.
Check the auditor controllers website if you don’t want to take my word for it. There you can unlock your own TRA with your unique 5 digit code found on your property tax bill. Read it and weep.
California already spends more money on schools per student than any other state in the country. …and that is not including what they get from the state’s lottery fund. I will absolutely, positively vote NO on another tax increase!
Not quite. Only Texas, Nevada, Arizona and Idaho spend less than California.
I checked my property tax bill and I already pay extra money to the Brentwood schools from previous bonds. Maybe once those are completely paid, I would consider supporting a new bond but for now I will vote NO. With increases in PG&E rates, City of Brentwood water rates, and other increases in basic living expenses, I do not have any extra money to be going to this bond.
No, no and hell no.
What a cheapskate. I guess your bank account is not as big as you’re mouth. There will be over ten bond, tax, and or assessment ballots on this upcoming vote. Show us how generous you are. By your previous comments we should not be cheap and vote yes to everything.
Unome, you are a joke. You couldn’t carry my wallet let alone comprehend my financial net worth. What a dummy.
Your comments are as empty as your bank account.
Now get back to work, those fries aren’t going to cook themselves!
Loser!
I think all new taxes, state, county and city will have difficulty passing. Even Bart should not get another dime. Mismanagement is the problem here not that there isn’t enough money.
Why not create another road around Adams/Heritage to help free up the bumper to bumper skool traffic!
Please note that many more houses are now being built in Brentwood. The money to build new schools comes from 3 pots: the bond, state funds that match the bond and developer fees. Without a new bond, a new school can’t be built.
Education should be a value to every citizen in our country.
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