Perris Union High unveils campus modernization plans and outlines how expiring bonds could fund up to $187 million in projects

Perris Union High School District presented draft campus modernization plans and a financing outline at a community facilities workshop, asking residents to review boards, fill out a survey and weigh in ahead of a June 17 follow-up and any potential November ballot measure.

The district’s assistant superintendent of business services, Dr. Marguerite Williams, opened the meeting by thanking staff and community members and framing the workshop as a continuation of districtwide planning that must balance equity, safety and long-term fiscal stewardship. “Your feedback, your questions, and your honest conversation were incredibly valuable and helped to shape tonight’s discussion,” Williams said.

Architects from DLR Group walked attendees through proposed projects at each campus. Buddy Guessel, the lead architect, outlined plans ranging from single-point-of-entry security upgrades and new career-technical buildings at Heritage High to replacing portables at Liberty High with permanent two-story classroom buildings, modernizing older buildings and adding performing-arts space at Paloma Valley, and rebuilding aging classroom blocks at the California Military Institute. Guessel emphasized color-coded boards for new construction (red), minor modernizations (orange), deeper system upgrades (blue) and site/shade improvements (yellow) to help residents compare scope and cost.

“We have the need to expand the classrooms … to be prepared,” Guessel said while describing capacity pressures and program needs across the district. He encouraged students and parents to use QR codes on the boards to take a district survey intended to prioritize projects.

The workshop also included an in-progress look at the community survey. Guessel reported nearly 1,000 participants to date and said safety and security, classroom and teaching-space improvements and parking/drop-off were among the top priorities in a districtwide heat-map breakdown of responses.

The meeting’s financial briefing centered on how expiring bond payments could create capacity for a new authorization without raising the combined tax rate. Jason, the district’s bond consultant, reviewed two existing local measures: the 1999 Measure T, which he said has only two years of payments remaining and will end in 2027, and the 2004 Measure Z, which he said is scheduled to end in 2030. Jason presented charts showing that the combined cost of those measures currently runs around $20 per $100,000 of assessed value and explained a phased issuance plan that would add new series of bonds (for example, a roughly $40 million Series A sale in 2027) timed so the total rate remains near the existing combined level.

Jason warned that the plan relies on conservative assumptions — notably a 4% annual assessed-value growth projection — and that federal requirements (including IRS expectations about spending bond proceeds) and prudent phasing mean the district would not issue the full authorization at once. “By issuing bonds in portions and phases, [the district] can prioritize projects, reasonably spend them on time, and reduce the risk that tax rates exceed the $20 projection,” Jason said.

Communications lead Joy from Team Civic reviewed outreach and transparency measures: mailed information and tear-off/paper surveys, a public project list that would appear in the voter guide if a bond goes on the ballot, an independent oversight committee, annual audits and a district master-plan web tool with a scenario builder that will show projects and estimated dollar amounts.

Joy said the district is considering a bond extension of up to $187 million and noted that bonds can only go on the ballot every two years; if the district does not pursue the measure now it would not have another opportunity until 2028. “All of this again will be used to help inform the board as they make a decision about whether to move forward or not,” she said.

What happens next: attendees were asked to provide feedback during a 20-minute breakout and complete the QR-code survey; the district scheduled a June 17 meeting to bring results and next steps to the board. The district said project lists, survey data and scenario tools will be posted on the master-plan site to keep the process transparent.

Who said what (selected quotes) • Board President Edward Garcia Jr.: “Please don’t hold back. Please speak up and know that we’re all listening.” • Bond consultant Jason: “These are projections based on very conservative assumptions” and noted that issuing bonds in phases helps ensure tax rates stay near current levels. • Team Civic’s Joy: “This potential bond measure would provide that $187 million,” and she also highlighted required oversight and that bond funds are restricted to school repairs and upgrades.

The meeting produced no formal motions or votes. The district invited continued public input and said staff and consultants would remain after the session to answer specific questions.