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Beaumont board approves Team Civics contract to plan possible bond measures; consultant urges heavy community outreach
Summary
The board approved a contract with Team Civics LLC to run feasibility, outreach and ballot‑measure development work for future school bond options; the consultant proposed exploring one or two bonds, a possible no‑tax‑increase approach, and substantial outreach to senior and other precincts that previously reduced support.
The Beaumont Unified School District board on Sept. 23 voted to hire Team Civics LLC to provide feasibility assessment, ballot‑measure development and public information services as the district considers placing school bond measures before voters.
Joy Kumer, a Team Civics partner, briefed trustees on lessons learned from the failed 2024 measure and described a plan that emphasizes targeted outreach, scientifically sampled surveys and the formation of a superintendent/facilities advisory group made up of community leaders. "We want you to be a part of the process," Kumer said, outlining an approach that would test both one‑bond and two‑bond options and seek clearer communication on which residents would pay and who would be eligible to vote.
Kumer said one no‑tax‑increase framing might be possible by taking advantage of remaining debt capacity as older bonds are paid off; she estimated that approach could raise "a little over $80 million" for repairs and updates without increasing what residents currently pay. She cautioned that surveys and community work are iterative and noted that survey administration would add separate costs while her core services are provided at a flat contract rate.
Trustees pressed Team Civics about past communications failures, precinct‑level results and whether carving out senior communities (an SFID or similar approach) should be used again. "When people are confused, they vote no," a trustee said, referencing precinct maps Team Civics reviewed. Kumer recommended inclusive engagement with senior neighborhoods rather than automatic exclusion and proposed town halls—some hybrid/online—to gather input.
After discussion, trustees moved, seconded and approved the Team Civics contract. The motion carried.
What happens next: staff and the consultant will convene advisory groups and begin feasibility polling and outreach work; surveys and sample research will be scheduled and budgeted separately.
