At the meeting of the Culver City Unified School Board on Dec. 5, 2023, the board voted unanimously to put the $358 million dollar facilities bond on the March ballot. The bond, which has been a topic of urgent conversation among community members, will be funding dedicated to school facilities.
School Board President Paula Amezola offered “Together, we can build educational facilities that make our children proud and establish a work environment for our staff and teachers that they genuinely love.”
While many have expressed the opinion that the November ballot would give the district more time, the board opted to put it on the ballot for the primary election in March.
Board member Triston Ezidore stated “Recognizing the critical need for facility improvements, we aim to ensure that students have access to the education, facilities, and classroom technology necessary for their success.”
The bond, as presented in a press release from the district, “includes specific fiscal accountability provisions:
- By law, all funds remain under local control and may only support CCUSD schools
- Independent citizen oversight and public reports of all spending are required
- Funded by a levy limited to 6 cents per $100 of assessed (not market) property value (assessed value can be much lower than market value for those who have owned their homes a long time)
- CCUSD currently has the third lowest tax rate for school facility funding in LA County
- No funds may be taken by the State.”
For the bond to pass, 55% of local voters in the upcoming March election must vote to approve.
Judith Martin-Straw
