Survey shows bond issue may pass

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- A recent survey shows residents strongly support a

bond measure to help Huntington Beach City School District repair its

schools.

The survey sampled 400 registered voters within the district boundaries,

and the results were released May 3. The 15-minute telephone interviews

conducted in March by Price Research showed that more than 70% of the

respondents would support a bond measure.

Furthermore, 70.5% said they would support a maximum 30-year,

$16-per-year raise in property taxes to pay for the bond. The district

said it only needs a $13 raise from taxpayers. The tax would affect

property owners within the district’s boundaries.

“[The survey results are] extremely positive,” said Jerry Buchanan,

assistant superintendent of administrative services. “This means that the

district board could pass a bond issue.”

The school board ordered the survey to test the waters for a possible

bond election and gauge how voters feel about education and their

attitudes toward proposed school improvements.

The results indicate that a bond could pass with more than the necessary

two-thirds majority, district officials said.

Voters could see a bond on the ballot in the fall or spring, Supt. Duane

Dishno said.

he district needs about $40 million worth of repairs and upgrades,

including the replacement of broken and deteriorating water and sewer

systems, old roofs, classroom fire and smoke alarm systems, electrical

systems, air-conditioning systems. It also needs to add modern

technology.

Although the district is eligible for $21 million in state funds, it must

come up with $4.2 million of it on its own to get that money.

To make the match, the district said it is also looking at selling or

leasing a closed school site or taking out a loan.

A tentative school board study session is set for the end of the month to

discuss the survey results and how to match the state funds.