Measure L Update: February 2014

Thanks to our community’s support, Measure L school bond funds are continuing to improve Pajaro Valley Unified School District schools. We have almost completed our initial projects that focused on safety improvements and repairs. We are excited to announce that we will begin the first of our larger projects, the installation of solar panels for improved energy efficiency, which will save money that we can use to support classroom programs and instruction. Continue reading to learn more about other projects that have been or are almost completed.

Continuing To Improve Student And School Safety

• The District has continued to focus on ensuring each school site provides a safe environment for its students
• A new well has been installed at Renaissance High School that now provides safer drinking water
• Safety locks to help prevent intruders are currently being installed at all elementary schools — middle and high schools will happen in the spring and summer 2014
• About 90% of the upgrades or replacements to old, unsafe playground structures have been completed
• In partnership with Wharf-to-Wharf funds, a new running track at Cesar Chavez Middle School has been completed, which now provides a safe, level surface for students to use during physical education classes
• The deteriorated, unsafe visitor bleachers at Aptos High School have been replaced
• The new water tank at Aptos High school, which provides water for fire suppression, is now complete

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Upgrading Classrooms To Keep Schools Clean And Well Maintained

Maintaining the facilities we have is important for providing our current and future students with a clean, healthy learning environment.

The District replaced aged carpeting at 11 schools during the Christmas break, with one final school left to repair.

The District is making other critical upgrades to avoid costly repairs and replacements of equipment and infrastructure down the road.

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Improving Energy Efficiency To Save Money For Classroom Instruction

The first phase of solar installation for Bradley and Hall District Elementary Schools is set to begin in March. Installing solar panels is one approach the District is using to improve the energy efficiency of schools and facilities, which will allow the District to place the savings back into the classroom. The projects for the remaining four schools expected to receive solar panels are set to begin summer and fall of 2014.

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Measure L Citizens’ Oversight Committee

The District has established an independent citizens’ oversight committee that meets quarterly to oversee bond expenditures and projects. This committee is compromised of 12 members that represent various sectors of the community–business, seniors, taxpayers and parents.

Dan Johnson, committee chairman, is pleased with the progress the District has made thus far with Measure L funds: “The committee and I are inspired by the progress we see being made to improve our schools so they are able to provide our students with a safe, well-rounded 21st-century education.” Currently, there are two vacant seats on the committee. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Brett McFadden at brett_mcfadden@pvusd.net. To review reports from the committee please visit www.pvusd.net and select the Measure L Bond Citizens Oversight Committee Information link on the right.

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Tell Us What You Think

The District welcomes your comments and questions as it continues repairing and improving local schools. Please contact the Business Services Department at (831) 786-2100 ext. 2531. We also invite you to visit our website, www.pvusd.net, for further updates on Measure L.