FAQ | Yes on Measure M - Repair Our Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Measure M?

Measure M, on the November 5, 2024 ballot, will provide funding to repair aging classrooms and portables at all LUSD school facilities. Voting Yes on M would provide locally controlled funding to repair and upgrade local schools so all students attend class in safe and up-to-date schools.

Why do we need Measure M?

Each day, 9,000 local students rely on Lompoc Unified School District for a quality education. Most Lompoc schools, built in the 1960s or earlier, have not been upgraded in over 20 years. Thousands of students attend class in 136 outdated portable classrooms, which are costly to repair and need replacement with permanent ones. Older schools have hazardous materials like asbestos and lead that must be removed for student health and safety. Most schools do not meet current health codes, building safety codes, or provide full access for students with disabilities.

What projects will Measure M Fund?

Voting Yes on M will provide the funding to:

Repair or replace aging school facilities including deteriorating roofs, plumbing, sewer lines, gas lines and electrical systems
Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead
Upgrade older schools to meet current health codes, building and safety codes, earthquake standards, and improve access for students with disabilities.
Provide modern classrooms, labs, career training facilities, technology and equipment to support high quality instruction in (STEM) science, technology, engineering and math
Improve student safety and campus security systems including fencing, cameras, intruder-protection systems, emergency communications systems, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers
Replace aging portable classrooms with modern, permanent classrooms

How was Measure M developed and how were classroom needs accessed?

LUSD partnered with school facilities architects and engineers to create a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan. This plan identifies necessary repairs and upgrades, providing detailed cost estimates for each school campus in the district.

How can I be sure funds from Measure M would be spent as promised?

Measure M includes strict fiscal accountability requirements, including:

All Measure M funds would be locally controlled and cannot be taken by the State
Citizens’ oversight and annual audits will ensure all funds are spent as promised
No funds can be spent on administrators’ salaries

How much will Measure M cost?

Measure M, a $160 million school facilities improvement bond measure, would cost 5¢ per $100 of assessed value (not market value) for property owners or about $138 per year for the typical homeowner.

What is the difference between assessed value and market value?

The cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of properties, which is determined by the original purchase price and can only increase by up to 2% annually. Since market values typically grow faster, assessed values are usually much lower, especially for properties bought long ago. Measure M's cost is based on this lower assessed value.

Would all Measure M funds benefit LUSD schools only?

All funds from Measure M will benefit LUSD schools only. No funds could be taken by the State or used for other purposes.

How will funds from Measure M be distributed?

The text of Measure M includes a legally binding project list. Funds from Measure M may only be used for the projects on this list. If Measure M is approved, LUSD will work with architects to develop specific plans for efficiently addressing the most critical and urgent repairs needed at each school site. These specific project plans will be presented to the Board of Education for prioritization and approval, with input from the public, before work begins. Measure M’s independent oversight committee will review the use of all bond funds to ensure they are only spent on voter-approved projects.

I don’t have children attending local schools. How does this impact me?

Whether or not you have school-age children, supporting quality education is a wise investment. Good schools improve the quality of life in our community and protects the value of our homes.

Hasn’t LUSD already passed bond measures?

Voters in the Lompoc Unified School District last approved a bond measure in 2002, over 20 years ago. While those funds were used as promised to upgrade and improve local schools, many urgent repairs and upgrades are still needed. Classrooms and facilities that were upgraded two decades ago have been in continuous use by thousands of students and now require additional repairs.

How many votes does Measure M need to pass?

In order to pass, Measure M must be supported by 55% of those who cast a vote on the measure in the March election. It is critical we all take the time to vote YES in this election to maintain high-quality local schools.

Will businesses pay the cost of Measure M?

Yes, all property owners contribute towards Measure M and the cost of repairing and upgrading aging local schools. Businesses benefit from quality local schools because they rely on an educated and trained workforce. Measure M is endorsed by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Will renters pay the cost of Measure M?

Renters do not pay property taxes so Measure M will not directly increase taxes or costs for those who rent their homes. Landlords factor in costs like property taxes they pay when setting rental rates. However, rents are primarily driven by market forces and not the sum of costs paid by the landlord. Passage of bond measures typically do not have direct impacts on the price of home and apartment rentals.

Who can vote on Measure M?

All registered voters living within Lompoc Unified School District boundaries can vote on Measure M.

When can I vote Yes on Measure M?

Measure M will be on the November 5, 2024 ballot. All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot beginning October 8, 2024. You may cast your ballot by mail in this election, place it in a drop box, or vote in-person at a designated vote center. As soon as you receive your ballot, please vote YES on M, follow the instructions to sign and date the outer envelope and place it in the mail or deliver your ballot right away.

Why is the District not waiting until Measure N is paid off?

The last bond measure for LUSD was approved 22 years ago and it only addressed a portion of the identified needs at that time. LUSD now has long overdue and urgent repairs to address. Waiting until Measure N bonds are paid off in 2033 will mean that local students attend deteriorating, failing, and unsafe schools for another decade. We need Measure M now to address these overdue repairs and upgrades. Waiting will only make these repairs more expensive to complete.

Where is the money we are still paying for Measure N going now?

The tax rate for Measure N repays bonds that we issued to fund repairs shortly after the passage of the measure in 2002. These bonds will be fully repaid in 2033 and this tax will come off of our property tax bills. Bonds spread the cost of repairs over 30 years to minimize the cost to taxpayers in any one year.

Why are we still paying for an old bond if everything was done?

Like a mortgage, bonds provide funding up front for upgrades and repairs and are paid off over time. The Measure N bonds approved in 2002 will be paid off in 2033. Measure N was a small bond relative to LUSD's needs in 2002 and only addressed the highest priority repairs at that time. In the more than 20 years since Measure N was passed, school facilities have continued to age and deteriorate and many new repairs and upgrades have become urgent. Measure M will address the most urgent and critical needs at this time.

What happened to/why can't we use Lotto funds to fix schools?

The lottery funds do contribute to public education, but it is a very small percentage of the overall yearly education budget in California at around 1%. Most of the money goes towards lottery payouts and operation costs. The money that schools do get goes towards teaching and instructional programs. Lottery funds alone are not sufficient to fund significant repairs and upgrades needed in local schools.

Why can't we use state grants/get grant writers?

State grants have strict guidelines on how they must be spent and very few grants are available for school facility repairs. However, state matching funds are available to school districts that apply and are able to provide the required local matching dollars, typically provided by a local bond measure. By approving Measure M Lompoc schools can qualify for millions in state matching money that will otherwise go to improve schools in other communities.

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 the Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters at 800-722-8683 or visit voterreg@countyofsb.org.

How can I get involved or learn more about Measure M?

Our campaign is a grassroots organization of parents, teachers, and other community leaders dedicated to passing Measure M for local students. Some ways you can help pass Measure M include donating to the campaign, displaying a YES on M lawn sign at your home, and adding your name to our list of Measure M supporters. Visit www.yes4lompockids.com to get started!