J.O. Combs Unified School District Calls for Bond Election Nov 8

A successful bond election would allow the district to address the necessary renovations and improvements to school buildings, technology upgrades, student transportation, and new construction to include an auditorium and athletic storage facility.  

How will the bond funds be spent?

The distribution of the bond funds is as follows:

• School and building renovations and improvements - $6.6M
• Technology - $5.5M
• Student transportation (buses) - $3M
• Auditorium with classrooms and athletic storage facility at Combs High School - $8.6M
• Maintenance, transportation and district service facility - $13.1M

According to Shannon Weber, Director of Support Services, seven of the student transportation buses are 15 years or older and keeping students safe is a priority. Transportation demands have also resulted in a need for an updated transportation facility to properly maintain the district’s fleet.

Over the past seven years, J.O. Combs Unified School District has experienced a reduction of over $7.6M in capital dollars. Because of the reduced state funding, school repairs have been deferred, older buses have remained in service, and technology has not been updated.  Lack of acceptable facilities has impacted student programs and department efficiency.

How much will this bond cost me?

The average homeowner would expect to see a tax impact of $7.23 per month on a $100,000 home which would be funded by an estimated $0.86 tax rate per $100 of the net assessed valuation used fro secondary property tax purpose.

Managing tax payer dollars appropriately while making decisions in the best interest of students is a main focus for district leaders. The J.O. Combs School District’s Business Department has proudly been the recipient of the Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).

J.O. Combs Unified School District went out for a bond in 2015 and the bond failed by 16 votes.