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Mt. Diablo Unified board approves $162,000 outreach plan for possible bond despite skepticism
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Summary
Trustees approved roughly $162,000 in additional outreach for a potential November bond (about $120–130K for three mailers and $30–40K for follow-up polling). Some trustees warned polling showed only mid-50s support and questioned the large bond size; the motion passed with a recorded tally noted in the transcript as 4–2–1.
The Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education on April 15 approved additional community outreach funding for a possible bond measure, agreeing to an estimated $162,000 package that staff said would pay for three mailers and follow-up polling to test whether campaign messaging raises public support.
"Most of it, probably roughly about 120 to 130,000 is earmarked for 3 mailers ... and then, roughly about 30 to 40,000 is for a subsequent polling," a district staff member explained when trustees asked how the funds would be allocated. (Staff member)
Board discussion reflected competing views about the campaign’s prospects and the bond’s scale. One trustee cited recent polling showing possible support in the mid-50s and warned that a $528 million bond (an option discussed in prior reports) would be a difficult ask for voters, saying, "These figures tell me that this will be a hard slog for approval when 55% is necessary to pass." (Trustee)
Another trustee argued the mailers are the only practical way to reach many households and supported the outreach as public education: "The mail to the household is the only way we can reach them ... It will present information about the great work we're doing, but it will also show what our need is." (Trustee)
The board motion to approve the outreach was seconded and recorded in the transcript as passing "4 2 1" (read as 4 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain in the minutes). The clerk noted Trustee McDougall was "hanging in" in the discussion; the transcript does not provide a roll-call list of which trustees cast each vote.
Context and next steps: Staff said polling previously showed support in the mid-50s and that additional mailers followed by polling would help determine whether to place the bond on the ballot; a final decision and any bond resolution would return to the board. Trustees also requested follow-up information on a past $50 million contract cited as not delivering expected savings.
