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Colton board committee weighs bond, grants and community options to address major facility needs
Summary
A long‑range facilities listening session yielded community feedback on HVAC, fields and closures; board members discussed targeted bonds, grants, leasing underused buildings and fundraising as ways to cover multimillion‑dollar repair costs.
Board members and committee participants summarized public feedback from a long‑range facilities listening session and discussed options to fund major repairs and upgrades at Colton schools.
Committee members described concerns raised about building conditions, fields, HVAC and program space. "Some of it was related to the building and possibly closures, and some of it was related to the field," one board member said after the listening session, and a separate boarder emphasized the need to center decisions on students' learning.
Board discussion covered a range of funding options. Members noted the district has no bond payments currently (an earlier roofing/security bond has been paid off), and said a future bond could be paired with a matching grant. One board member estimated that two campuses need major repairs that could be in the low‑millions — "It could be $3,000,000 each," the member said — and cautioned that adding many items to a single bond package can reduce the chance of passing it.
Other options discussed included leasing underutilized facilities to outside operators (one nearby district previously leased a closed building to a charter operator), targeted fundraising and pursuing multiple grants. The board said it would seek more detailed HVAC estimates from contractors, meet again with teachers and hold additional community meetings in April or May to refine options. Committee members said they intend to present concrete scenarios to the board before any decision on a bond or other major financing moves.
Members agreed the long‑range facilities process will continue over the spring with an emphasis on clear options, community engagement and realistic financing estimates.
