Santa Fe school board approves $150 million bond measure; sets aside funds to reimagine EJ Martinez and Chaparral

The Santa Fe Public School Board of Education voted Aug. 14 to place a $150 million general obligation (G.O.) bond on the November ballot and to submit the district's updated facilities master plan to the Public School Facilities Authority. The board also allocated a prioritized $14 million for a 'Schools of Innovation' initiative and identified up to $7 million to $10 million in targeted work for EJ Martinez and Chaparral, including drop-off and pick-up improvements.

The actions matter because the bond would fund building renewals, sustainability upgrades and program-focused projects across Santa Fe Public Schools and charter schools in the county. Officials said the master plan and bond together are intended to address aging facilities, declining enrollment and the district's reimagining strategy for program choice.

In a presentation before the vote, Veronica Garcia, executive consultant on reimagining and facilities, summarized the plan's goals: health, safety and security; sustainability; renovating aging facilities; responding to demographic change; and aligning buildings with educational programs. Garcia said the district set aside $14 million specifically for schools of innovation, with EJ Martinez and Chaparral named first priorities for that process.

Superintendent Joe Griffin said the vote would also put House Bill 33 (HB 33) on the ballot; HB 33 is a separate mill levy that the district estimates would generate about $13 million per year for maintenance and operational needs. Garcia noted the board…