NHUSD Receives Annual Bond Report

has spent 95 percent of the funds generated by a facilities bond passed in 2003, according to an annual report.

The bond report received by the Board of Education at Tuesday night's meeting indicated that more than $156 million of the nearly $165 million generated by the bond have been committed to various projects.

Measure A, passed in 2003, called for a $120 million bond to upgrade and construct new facilities. With additional state matching funds, local revenues and interest, that total increased to $164.8 million.

Every school in the district, along with the , , and has received facilities improvements.

Some of the biggest projects include the construction of Conley-Caraballo High School in 2005 ($11 million) and 's Center for Performing Arts this year ($28 million).

Funds have also been used for the renovation of , new buildings at and the installation solar energy systems at and Logan High.

According to New Haven community relations director Rick La Plante, the majority of the balance will be spent on a facilities master plan study, which will detail for the district what steps to take next.

La Plante said at some point in the future, the district may have to appeal to voters for more money, but facilities are not the key concern.

"Our main issue is financing the day-to-day operations of the district, given the state of the economy," La Plante said.

The district may seek additional assistance in the form of a parcel tax once the state budget is released in January, La Plante said. Bonds can only be used for facilities, whereas a parcel tax can generate funds for general use.

The Legislative Analysts Office, the state's fiscal advisor, released a report last week projecting a $25 billion state budget deficit.

Since 1987, Union City voters have approved four ballot measure bonds totaling more than $220 million.

"The community has always been supportive of facilities for our children," La Plante said.