Toltec School District to seek $9 million bond for accessibility, preschool and facilities upgrades

Toltec School District officials said the district will pursue a $9 million bond on the November ballot to fund building accessibility work, new preschool classrooms and other facility and technology upgrades.

The principal, speaking as the board meeting presenter, told the board the bond would fund multiple priorities including making campus facilities wheelchair accessible, creating regular preschool programs on each campus, establishing an on-site alternative program for students facing long-term suspension, replacing transportation vehicles and upgrading phone and fuel systems, and updating curriculum and classroom technology. "We're pursuing a $9 million bond for many purposes," the principal said.

District staff framed the proposal as a response to multiple operational needs. The principal said early planning envisions preschool classrooms at each campus to support earlier student engagement and a dedicated alternative facility to keep students connected to on-site instruction rather than off-site suspension.

Finance staff reported the district's monthly run rate is roughly $800,000'$850,000, underscoring officials' comment that capital needs exceed current reserves. No formal board vote to place the bond on the ballot was recorded in the meeting minutes; the principal said they are continuing community outreach and will seek board approval through the formal agenda process as required.

Board members received the calendar of upcoming dates related to the school year, including fall break (Oct. 14'17) and parent-teacher conferences (Oct. 25), and were told that community meetings are underway to discuss the bond request ahead of the election.

The district did not present a final ballot measure language or precise allocation breakdown at the meeting; amounts for each project were not specified.