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San Benito County voters have multiple measures to decide on during this year’s General Election. Two of the measures are bonds related to the San Benito High School District. Both bonds require 55% voter approval.
What are the San Benito High School District bonds on the Nov. 5 ballot?
There are two $70 million bond measures related to the San Benito High School District on the ballot. Measure L focuses on the construction of another high school on Wright Road, while Measure M’s goal is providing vocational learning classrooms in addition to core academics at the new high school. This would be accomplished in collaboration with Gavilan College.
Why are there two bonds on the ballot?
Attorney Janet Mueller, representing the high school district, says two bond measures are required because Prop 39, passed in 2000, limits the amount of property taxes that can be levied in a single bond measure to pay for school facilities.
How will the bonds affect property owners?
Both are general obligation bonds, meaning they are paid for through property taxes. The rate for both bonds averages approximately $19 per $100,000 in assessed value. If passed, a taxpayer living in a home assessed at $500,000 would pay approximately $95 per year for 45 years.
How can you check the assessed value of your property?
The assessed value of a property is different from its market value. The county assessor’s office assesses property values for tax purposes.
Property owners can check their property tax bills to find the assessed value of their property.
The San Benito County Assessor’s website also has a free online tool for searching the assessed value of properties. Under the Parcel Search tab on the website, you can look up the assessed value of properties in San Benito County.
What do proponents of the bonds say?
In a statement submitted to San Benito County’s Registrar of Voters, proponents of both bonds emphasized Hollister High’s issues with overcrowding.
“Overcrowding threatens student and teacher safety and educational opportunities,” said the argument in favor.
The proponents argue that the funding from both bonds would remedy the capacity issues facing the district.
What do opponents of the bonds say?
In the arguments against Measure L submitted to the San Benito County Registrar of Voters, opponents state, “The District rewarded students, parents and taxpayers for the passage of the 2016 bond measure ($60 million) tax by significant drops in proficiency in English and Math!”
The opponents argue that the new bonds would reward the district for lower statewide assessment scores.
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