Measure M Program for DJUSD!

bond logoOn behalf of our Board of Education and all of our students and staff, we thank Davis voters for your continued support of our schools and the passage of the Measure M school facilities bond, which will provide approximately $150 million to upgrade schools for safety and 21st century learning. Learn more about upcoming projects at Bond Information

Kids holding thank you letters

Updating and Improving Davis Schools

 

Excellence and Student Safety
As one of the highest-performing districts in our region, Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) has a proud history of strong academic achievement. DJUSD equips each student with the knowledge, skills, character and well-being to thrive in an evolving world. Quality schools help make Davis a desirable place to live, keeping our community and our property values strong.

 Providing 21st Century Learning Environments

Many of the classrooms and buildings in Davis schools are over 50 years old and require updates. Old plumbing and electrical systems need replacement and academic facilities need earthquake safety upgrades to provide a safe, healthful learning environment for students. Improvements are also needed for campus safety and security to control access and prevent school intruders. As requirements for a competitive education rapidly evolve, our classrooms and labs need to be modernized to meet today’s educational standards for science, technology, engineering and math.

Local Funding for Local Schools
In order to update and improve Davis schools and facilities, the DJUSD Board of Education voted unanimously to place a $150 million bond measure on the November 6, 2018 ballot (Measure M). If approved, Measure M will:
  • Improve campus safety and security at all schools
  • Modernize science, technology, engineering, arts and math classrooms and labs
  • Update classrooms, science labs, innovation labs, athletic and other school facilities to meet current academic and safety standards
  • Keep schools clean, well-maintained and in good condition
  • Replace aging plumbing and electrical systems
  • Improve school access for students and staff with disabilities and inclusiveness for all students
Fiscal Accountability Provisions and Cost
  • All revenue from the proposed measure would benefit Davis schools, be controlled locally and could not be taken by the State
  • No funds could be spent on administrators’ salaries or benefits
  • A citizens’ oversight committee and annual audits would ensure funds are spent as promised
  • The proposed measure would cost property owners approximately $60 per each $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year, for the life of the bonds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are our Davis schools doing?
As one of the highest performing districts in our region, the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) has a proud history of strong academic achievement. DJUSD equips each student with the knowledge, skills, character and well-being to thrive in an evolving world. Our great schools help make Davis a desirable place to live, keeping our community and our property values strong.
What challenges face our Davis schools?
Many of the classrooms and buildings in our Davis schools are over 50 years old and require updates. Old plumbing and electrical systems need replacement and academic facilities need earthquake safety upgrades to provide a safe, healthful learning environment for students. Improvements are also needed for campus security to control access and prevent school intruders.

As requirements for a competitive education rapidly evolve, our classrooms and labs need to be modernized to meet today’s educational standards for science, technology, engineering and math. Our district has not passed a school improvement bond measure in almost 20 years, and our classrooms now need improvements to maintain strong student achievement.
What steps is DJUSD taking to identify needs in our schools?
Through a detailed Facility Master Planning process and community input, the district has identified over $450 million in facility needs in Davis schools. Read more at Facility Master Plan.

To address urgent classroom and school facility needs, the DJUSD Board of education unanimously voted to place a $150 million bond measure on the November 6, 2018 ballot.While a single bond measure will not be able to address all needs in our schools, it would start a first phase of improvements to maintain high-quality education for all Davis students.

How does DJUSD plan on addressing these needs?
In order to address identified needs and continue preparing Davis students for future success, the DJUSD Board of Education voted to place a $150 million bond measure on the November 6, 2018 ballot. If passed, this measure would address the first phase of improvements and updates in Davis schools to ensure students attend class in a safe and modern learning environment.
Can’t the State fund school facility improvements?
Unfortunately, we cannot rely on the State to fund these necessary repairs in local schools. In order to maintain high-quality educational facilities and ensure our schools get the updates our students need, a local source of funding is required.
What projects would the proposed measure address?

If approved by voters, the proposed bond measure would help complete a wide slate of projects throughout DJUSD. These projects include:

  • Improving campus safety and security at all schools
  • Modernizing science, technology, engineering, arts and math classrooms and labs
  • Updating classrooms, science labs, innovation labs, athletic and school facilities to meet current academic and safety standards
  • Keeping schools clean, well-maintained and in good condition
  • Replacing aging plumbing and electrical systems
  • Improving school access for students and staff with disabilities and inclusiveness for all students
How do we know funds from the proposed measure would be spent wisely?

Strict fiscal accountability would be required for the measure:

  • All revenue from the proposed measure would benefit Davis schools, be controlled locally and could not be taken by the State
  • No funds could be spent on administrators’ salaries or benefits
  • A citizens’ oversight committee and annual audits would ensure funds are spent as promised
How much would the measure cost?
The proposed measure would cost approximately $60 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year.
Would all funds benefit our DJUSD schools? Could bond funds be taken by the State?
Yes. All funds would be locally controlled and would benefit Davis schools. No funding could be taken away by the State or used for other purposes.
Is there any other way to maintain and improve our schools?
Our district has very few options when it comes to funding the necessary maintenance that our schools need. We can’t rely on the State to complete these repairs and redirecting funds in the current budget would take resources out of our classrooms and away from our students. The proposed bond measure would provide local funding to maintain and update school facilities to provide a safe, modern learning environment for all our students.
When will I be able to vote on the measure?
The DJUSD Board of Trustees voted to place a school improvement bond measure on the November 6, 2018 ballot.
What level of support would the measure need to pass?
The measure would need to be supported by 55% of those who vote in order to pass.
How can I register to vote or learn more about voting?
You can register to vote at www.registertovote.ca.gov. To find out more about voting in this election, please contact Yolo County Registrar of Voters at (530) 666-8133 or visit www.yoloelections.org.

How can I learn more about our schools?
We welcome your comments and questions as we work to ensure our students can continue to receive a high-quality education. For more information, please contact the office of Superintendent Dr. John Bowes at [email protected].

science students

Facility Master Plan
A Facilities Master Plan is a strategy for growth that identifies a vision for the upcoming 10 to 15 years. The FMP reflects high level of thinking and is not architectural designs, but rather a living document that guides and informs future improvements of the District’s facilities infrastructure in support of the educational program goals reflective of the District’s mission, vision, and graduate profile. In 2017-18, DJUSD underwent an extensive outreach process to produce a Facility Master Plan. Read the DJUSD Facility Master Plan.
students reading

We Want to Hear From You
We welcome your comments and questions as we work to ensure our students continue to receive a high-quality education. For more information, email [email protected]

teacher helping student read

Events 

The DJUSD Board of Education voted to place a school improvement bond measure on the November 2018 ballot at their board meeting on Thursday, June 14.