Superintendent to survey community on maintaining tax rate to fund $20M in facilities needs

Superintendent Dr. Hinojosa presented a proposal to begin community outreach on a voter‑approval tax rate (VATR) that would maintain the district’s current tax rate while a scheduled 8‑cent decrease in interest and sinking (I&S) takes effect. Dr. Hinojosa said the administration would spend roughly 60 days talking with neighborhood associations, past board members and stakeholders to assess appetite for a measure intended to raise roughly $3–3.5 million per year to address priority facilities needs.

Dr. Hinojosa framed the idea as exploratory rather than a formal request: “What we don't wanna do is, of course, just, utilize, unwanted resources when we know something doesn't have a chance,” he said. He listed facility priorities including roofing, HVAC, lighting, flooring and athletic upgrades and noted the timing could allow a multi‑year plan to restore aging campuses.

Board members supported community outreach and suggested adding surveys and town halls to capture residents who cannot attend in‑person meetings. Trustees noted a previous VATR effort failed and urged sensitivity to community context; Dr. Hinojosa said he will return with documented feedback and recommendations after the outreach period.

Why it matters: A successful VATR would provide recurring local funding for deferred facilities maintenance; if voters decline the proposition the district would need alternative funding plans. The board took no formal vote to authorize a ballot measure at this meeting; it approved planning the outreach and gathering community feedback before any formal action.