Measure G FAQs
How do great schools in Los Alamitos Unified School District (Los Al) affect our community?
All of our schools have been honored as California Distinguished Schools and Gold Ribbon Schools, and our elementary schools consistently rank in the top 5% in the County in academic achievement. We’ve had over 100 National Merit Scholars and over 180 Division 1 Scholar Athletes in the last 5 years, and over 90% of our graduates enroll in post-secondary education.
Families move to our area to take advantage of the excellent education that Los Al provides. 94% of residents with children indicate that they live within Los Al boundaries because of our high-quality schools and Los Alamitos is ranked as one of 10 neighborhoods with the “Best Education Bang for Your Buck in the United States” by the Wall Street Journal. The strength of our schools is reflected in the strength of our community, improving local quality of life and helping protect property values.
What is the current state of school facilities?
Despite the success of our students, our school facilities, including our 50-year-old high school, need updates to meet 21st-century standards in a safe, modern learning environment. That’s why our district has undertaken a Facilities Master Planning process to identify and prioritize our most urgent needs.
What are Los Al’s most urgent needs?
Great teachers and quality academic programs provide an exceptional education for our pre-school through high school students. However, some of our schools need improvements to serve local students well for decades to come. Los Alamitos High School is 50 years old and has yet to be modernized. All students in our district attend the high school, so if we want our students to have access to the 21st-century education they need to succeed in college and careers, they must be skilled in the use of today’s technologies and have a solid background in science, technology, engineering and math. Our local schools need:
- Facilities and technology to support modern, high-quality instruction in science, technology, engineering and math so students are ready for college and good paying jobs
- Upgrades to classrooms and facilities that support student achievement in core academic subjects, music, the arts and athletics
- Modernized classrooms and school facilities at our 50-year-old high school, including repairs to deteriorating roofs and outdated plumbing, sewer and electrical systems
- Improved student safety and campus security systems at all schools
How does Los Al plan to meet these needs?
In order to help fund these needs, the District has placed Measure G, a local bond measure, on the November 2018 ballot. If local voters approve Measure G by 55%, it will provide $97 million for Los Al schools to continue quality instruction in core subjects like math, science, reading and writing by providing up-to-date classrooms, labs and facilities. The measure would also allow our schools to keep up with 21st-century learning standards and ensure our students go on to great colleges and are ready to compete for high-demand jobs in science, engineering and skilled trades.
How could local funding be used to upgrade local schools?
Measure G would provide locally-controlled funding to complete upgrades to aging schools. Funding would be used to address our schools’ most urgent needs, including:
- Providing the facilities and technology needed to support high-quality instruction in science, technology, engineering and math
- Ensuring all students are prepared for college and good paying jobs in fields like health sciences, engineering and skilled trades by updating classrooms, science labs and other facilities at Los Al High School
- Repairing and upgrading 50-year-old classrooms and replacing aging portables at the high school, which have deteriorating roofs and outdated plumbing, sewer and electrical systems
- Providing the facilities and equipment needed to support high-quality instruction in music, the arts and athletics
- Improving student safety and campus security systems, including security fencing, security cameras and emergency communications systems
Does Measure G include fiscal accountability provisions?
Yes, Measure G includes mandatory fiscal accountability, including:
- All money raised by the measure would stay local to support Los Al students; nothing could be taken by the State or federal government
- Independent citizen oversight and annual audits would be required
- The measure would require a detailed project list — based on the findings of the Facilities Maser Plan — outlining how the money would be spent
- No money could be used for administrator salaries
- The local bond measure would make our schools eligible for millions in state matching funds that would not otherwise be available
Could the State or federal government take away funding from Measure G?
No. All funds generated from Measure G would be locally-controlled and could only be spent improving Los Al schools.
How much would Measure G cost?
The cost of Measure G is limited to no more than $34 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) property value annually.
Could this measure help our district qualify for state matching funds?
Yes. If passed, Measure G could qualify our schools for millions of dollars in state matching funds that would otherwise go to other communities.
Does Los Al have a strong track record of sound fiscal management?
Our district takes pride in its history of fiscal responsibility. Independent citizen oversight and annual audits have consistently confirmed the proper and efficient management of taxpayer dollars. In the past, we have been able to leverage local funding into $24 million in state matching funds, saving local taxpayers millions.
Our schools are already among the best in the County. Do we really need an additional source of funding to compete with our neighbors?
Yes. In 2016, nine Orange County school districts passed bond measures, including Anaheim Elementary School District, Centralia School District, Fountain Valley School District, Garden Grove Unified School District, Huntington Beach City School District, Irvine Unified School District, Ocean View School District, Orange Unified School District and Westminster School District. Los Al High School has never been modernized in its 50-year history and all of our schools require basic repairs and upgrades so that we can keep pace in the 21st Century.
When will Measure G appear on the ballot?
The Los Al Board of Education has placed Measure G on the November 6, 2018 ballot.
What level of support does Measure G need to pass?
Measure G needs to be supported by 55% of those who vote on it in order to pass.
Who is eligible to vote on the Measure G?
All registered voters in the District — which includes Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach and portions of Cypress, Long Beach and Huntington Beach — are eligible to vote on the measure.