2024: Potential Bond Measure

For over 60 years, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) has served the communities of Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Sand City, and Seaside, with the vision of becoming one of the finest public school systems in the country. As we all know, maintaining a long-standing history of positive school culture and academic excellence takes the dedication of an entire community.

Affordable Housing to Retain Qualified Teachers

For our kids to succeed in college and their careers, they need safe and clean schools, staffed by qualified teachers. Unfortunately, many teachers and school staff are leaving the area to teach in places with lower costs of living. Providing educator housing gives our schools what they need to attract and retain dedicated teachers and improve the quality of education in our schools.

Upgrading Schools to Prepare Our Students for the Future

While some of our schools have been updated over the years, many are still over 50 years old and desperately in need of safety, security, technology, classroom, and campus updates. Student safety and security remains a top priority for our local schools. There is a need to create secured entry points, update security cameras, doors, and communication systems to ensure our students stay safe in an emergency.  

Locally Controlled Funding For Our Schools

Dedicated funding is required to provide safe and updated classrooms, labs, and facilities needed to support high-quality instruction in math, science, engineering, arts, athletics and technology for all students in our district. To continue meeting the needs of our students and community the MPUSD Board of Trustees is considering placing a $340 million school improvement bond on the November 5, 2024 ballot.

Funds from this potential measure would allow MPUSD to:

• Expand facilities for career technical education and prepare students for college and in-demand careers in medicine, auto tech, construction trades, and the culinary arts
• Provide affordable, stable housing to attract qualified teachers and staff
• Upgrade and repair schools and classrooms for science, technology, arts, athletics, and math
• Update outdated plumbing, electrical, and ventilation systems; repair roofs; and install solar panels to increase energy efficiency

The measure would cost property owners 5¢ per $100 of a property’s assessed (not market) value, or about $240 a year for the typical homeowner.  These funds would also help qualify our schools for matching state funds that would otherwise go to other districts.

Fiscal Accountability and Oversight

Any potential school bond measure would have strict fiscal accountability protections to ensure responsible use of funds, including:

• All funds from a bond remain under local control and could not be taken by the State.
• Mandatory citizens’ oversight committee, independent annual audits, and annual public reports of all spending to verify funds are being used as intended.
• No funds will be used for administrators’ salaries or pensions.

We Want to Hear from You!

Planning for the future of our schools is a community process. We value your input as MPUSD evaluates options for a potential bond. To share your feedback, please click here: tinyurl.com/MPUSDSurvey

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