To make repairs and upgrades to local schools and continue meeting the needs of students, the Beaumont Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to place Measure B, a school facilities improvement bond extension, on the November 3 ballot. If approved by registered voters in the District, without increasing tax rates, Measure B could provide $86 million in locally controlled school funding to:
- Repair or replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems
- Improve student safety and campus security systems
- Upgrade older schools to meet current codes
- Provide modern labs and CTE (career technical education) facilities
- Replace aging portables and update computer systems
Beaumont USD schools are experiencing the pressures of aging facilities and rapid enrollment growth. Over half of all Beaumont USD schools are over two decades old. One school was constructed in 1941, the same year Mount Rushmore was officially completed! Additionally, there are 81 portable classrooms over 20 years old, which require costly repairs to address structural damage and water leaks.
Beyond the structural needs of school facilities, Beaumont USD resides in one of the fastest-growing areas of Riverside County. Enrollment has increased by 37% in the last 15 years and is projected to increase by 3% each year. This has already resulted in TK and kindergarten programs being reduced to half-day schedules.
By law, if Measure B is approved by voters, strict fiscal accountability protections are required, including:
- No funds would be used for administrators’ salaries or pensions
- A local citizens’ oversight committee would be established under the law to conduct audits and publish audits
- No funds would be controlled or taken by the State of California
Additional information about Measure B, including answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Beaumont USD website at beaumontusd.us/MeasureB.