New measure aims at modernizing schools in CVUSD

Next week Coachella Valley residents will have the ability to vote on Measure G. The bond issue aims at modernizing schools throughout the Coachella Valley Unified School District.

"I think it's a good school. It really is, but it does need upgrades," grandmother of two Coachella Valley High School students, Maria Mercado said.

Coachella Valley High School is being considered in what is known as Measure G-- a bond measure that would authorize $230 million to help upgrade the school.

"I think if it's for the benefit of the students, it's good," said parent, Ansel Moleal.

"This is an opportunity for the community to help itself," Measure G advocate, Job Huerta said.

He says one of the primary focuses is renovation.

"There's a lot of safety issues, there's leaky roofs that must be updated, heating, [and] ventilation," Huerta said.

Coachella Valley High School is 110 years old. Proponents say renovations are just one portion of what the money would cover, and that it would also be allocated for upgraded technology.

"Having all the technological capabilities that a high school needs at this day and age in 2020-- it makes a huge difference whether it's updating your computers, not having to deal with older systems," Huerta said.

On Tuesday residents living in the Coachella Valley Unified School District will vote on the bond. A "yes" vote authorizes the school district to issue $230 million in bonds, that will be repaid using funds from an additional property tax.

"I think it's really great but also, it's also bad for the taxes increasing because there's a lot of migrant workers, field workers," Mercado said.

Measure G will need a 55 percent super-majority vote to be approved.

Proposition 13 is also on the ballot, which proposes to allocate $15 billion to public schools in California. Officials say it is not certain whether that money would cover the renovations listed in Measure G.

"This bond measure will help keep these funds here locally so the state will not be allowed to use any of those funds. Another thing that’s notable for this bond measure is that by law it must be overseen by a committee formed by the citizens here, so the community will oversee all the spending that’s happening with the bond measure," Huerta said.