Board reviews Measure L and X bond sales, sets easement hearing and outlines phased cafeteria projects

The Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees discussed the planned issuance and sale of general obligation bonds for Measure L (high school district) and Measure X (elementary district) and set a March 31 public hearing to convey a public utility easement to Modesto Irrigation District. The board did not finalize bond issuance tonight but was scheduled to consider bond‑authorization resolutions at the next meeting.

Jeff Small, the district’s financial advisor, told trustees that current market conditions make it a reasonable time to issue bonds and that interest rates are trending down: "interest rates are actually starting to come down," he said. Staff described a plan to issue series bonds sized to meet near‑term project needs while keeping total property‑tax rates within the levels promised to voters.

Trustees also approved a two‑step resolution of intent to convey a public utility easement for electrical utility access at Elliott Alternative Education Center and set a public hearing for March 31, 2025. Staff said the easement would provide access from Orangeburg and would not affect instructional facilities; the motion (moved by Trustee Dy, seconded by Trustee Marks) passed on a 6–0 roll call with one absence.

On Measure X project phasing, staff recommended a conservative, phased approach to elementary cafeteria/multi‑purpose room construction — initially doing one new cafeteria project per year — to manage contractor capacity, project management workload and cost‑escalation exposure while other large high‑school projects move forward. Mr Zley (facilities) told the board the remaining 13 elementary schools all show similar needs and cited the need to convert older cafeteria space into instructional or program space to accommodate expanding transitional kindergarten programs.

Staff said the district expects to return on March 31 with resolutions to authorize bond sales (series sizing and estimated costs) and that final interest rates will be fixed on the bond pricing date in April. Trustees asked staff to monitor construction‑cost escalation and to retain flexibility to accelerate phasing if market conditions or contractor availability change.

The easement resolution and the phasing discussion were the principal outcomes tonight; formal bond authorization will be considered at a future meeting.