Combs Unified board schedules Nov. 4 special bond election, cites $80 million proposal in backup

The J O Combs Unified School District governing board voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution calling a special bond election to be held Nov. 4, 2025, and authorized the district director of business services to take required tax-exempt bond compliance steps under sections 103 and 141–150 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Board members said the resolution is the first formal step toward a bond package the district has discussed for months and that the bond amount is specified in the board’s backup materials as $80,000,000. Superintendent Dr. Wyman told the board the amount is omitted from the resolution itself “per state statute” but appears in the election materials that staff and bond counsel will publish.

Board member Ray moved to adopt the resolution; the board president seconded the motion. The motion carried, 5-0.

Why it matters: District leaders said the bond is intended to address a prioritized list of facilities and technology needs identified by a community-and-staff bond committee and by consultants. Dr. Wyman told the board a survey conducted by High Ground showed voter support rose from 58% pretest to 62% post-test once voters saw details; the district also received counsel from underwriting and bond counsel (Stifel and Gust Rosenfeldt) during the planning process.

Key details and next steps: Dr. Wyman and board members described the following as part of the bond timetable and fiscal context: the county will run the election under an intergovernmental agreement, the election is likely to be mail-only (as required in non-presidential and non-gubernatorial election years), and a legal deadline for pro/con statements for the ballot pamphlet is in early August (board staff cited an August 8 deadline for those statements). Dr. Wyman also said Stifel advised the district that the bond could be sized up to $80 million “without increasing the tax rate,” and that the district’s tax rate is currently about $1.10 and is projected to be maintained at that level for the next 14 years under the plan described by staff; Dr. Wyman cautioned that new large property additions (he cited the unknown timing of an LG plant) could change future rates but would not affect the timing of the bond vote.

What the vote did: The board approved the resolution ordering and calling the election and authorized the district’s director of business services to ensure IRS compliance for tax-exempt financing. The board also directed staff to move forward with the county election intergovernmental agreement and to prepare required ballot pamphlet materials.

Board reaction and public involvement: Board members discussed the outreach work of the bond committee and the polling results; a board member thanked staff and community volunteers for their work. Dr. Wyman said the district will work with bond counsel and the county on the pamphlet and legal deadlines and will report back to the board on milestones.

Ending: With the resolution passed, staff will proceed with the county IGA and the public-information steps necessary for a November mail ballot special election. The board will receive follow-up agenda items with contract/IGA documents and ballot pamphlet materials.