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Superintendent reports bond sale savings, enrollment growth and summer facilities work
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Wilds reported the district sold bonds at a favorable rate that she said will save nearly $3 million over the life of the bonds, enrollment rose more than 5% to top 1,500 students, and facilities work this summer included HVAC installations and classroom storage improvements.
Dr. Wilds, the district superintendent, told the Hermosa Beach City School District Board the district completed a bond sale last week that resulted in lower-than-expected interest rates and an estimated savings of nearly $3 million in interest costs over the life of the bonds.
The superintendent said the timing of the sale and the absence of competing California bond sales helped secure a favorable rate. "We were able to save, the citizens of the taxpayers in Hermosa Beach almost close to $3,000,000 over the life of the of the bond," Dr. Wilds said.
Why it matters: Lower interest costs on the general obligation bond free up future district funds and reduce the long-term borrowing cost for capital projects funded by Measure HB. The superintendent also framed the district's operational readiness heading into the school year.
Enrollment and programming
Dr. Wilds reported a year-over-year enrollment increase of about 5 percent and said the district now has topped 1,500 students. "We have topped 1,500. Yes. That's a big milestone number for us in Hermosa Beach," she said. Board members asked about funding implications; the superintendent provided a rough per-pupil estimate and said staff would monitor attendance and wait lists on the first day of school and again after the first 10 days.
Facilities and summer work
The superintendent described several facilities projects completed over the summer: replacement and commissioning of HVAC units (including a 10-ton unit installed with crane assistance), new storage solutions at Hermosa Vista, reconfiguration of lunch tables at Hermosa View to ease student movement, and garden maintenance that left campus gardens ready for harvest.
Special education and services
Dr. Wilds reminded the board that Extended School Year (ESY) services — "ESY is for our students, our neurodivergent students, our students with disabilities" — are legally required and that the district provides 20 days of ESY services to prevent regression.
Funding, volunteers and community partners
The superintendent thanked internal and external partners by name or group: district staff and maintenance crews, the Hermosa Beach Educators Association (HBEA), Hermosa Beach Education Foundation (HBEF) which reported record fundraising, and the Beach Cities Health District for garden support. She said a district flyer will be mailed to all Hermosa residents with updates and a link to the district website.
What's next
Board members expressed congratulations for the enrollment milestone and thanked staff for summer work. The superintendent said the district will continue close monitoring of enrollment and operations as the school year begins.
