2024 School Bond Updates

School Bond Initiative Passes

Voters in the school district passed the 2024 school bond initiative on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
 
Initial discussions about the need for a bond initiative began upon the adoption of the USD 262 strategic plan in 2022, SOAR. The "R" in SOAR represents "Resources." It was identified in the strategic plan that "students learn best with facilities and resources that provide adequate space and access to high-quality learning resources. We will utilize and create environments that provide optimal learning experiences to embrace today and prepare for tomorrow." From there, a group of staff, families, community members, and others began meeting to determine the needs of the district. The need to provide adequate space for students to learn became obvious and the groundwork for providing space began. The bond will allow us to provide more space in our schools for current students and plan for the growth we expect in the future.
 
The project includes the construction of a new elementary school and a supplemental program center; renovations, additions, and improvements to Valley Center High School, including additional classrooms; an addition for career and technical education; and improvements to the kitchen and serving areas; improvements at Valley Center Middle School, including bathroom additions; improvements at Valley Center Intermediate School, including additional classrooms; and other necessary improvements.

Additionally, the building of a new elementary school will enable the district to shift grade levels for preschool through eighth-grade students. All elementary schools would be kindergarten through fourth grades; the intermediate school would become fifth and sixth grades; and Valley Center Middle Schools would be seventh and eighth grades.

What Projects Are Included in the Bond?

What is included in the project?

The project includes the construction of a new elementary school and a supplemental program center; renovations, additions, and improvements to Valley Center High School including additional classrooms, an addition for career and technical education, and improvements to the kitchen and serving areas; improvements at Valley Center Middle School including bathroom addition; improvements at Valley Center Intermediate School including additional classrooms; and other necessary improvements.

The building of a new elementary school will enable the district to shift grade levels for our preschool through eighth-grade students. All elementary schools would be kindergarten through fourth grades, the intermediate school would become fifth and sixth grades, and Valley Center Middle Schools would be seventh and eighth grades.

How much will the project cost?

The bond amount is $58,900,000 over 20 years.

Why build a new building and add on to existing buildings? Why now?

The district is growing at a pace that will result in outgrowing current buildings within a few years. It’s already happening. USD 262 students are missing out on opportunities because of a lack of space.

How will the district maintain these new facilities?

In much the same way the district adapted to additional education facilities in previous bonds, USD 262 administration will make plans and provisions for maintenance in their annual budgeting process. School staff and other stakeholders participate in developing those budgets. The elected members of the Board of Education evaluate and approve the budgets. We are not adding any additional ground and the area of irrigated ground increases only slightly.

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Proposed Classroom Additions and New Elementary School Images

Proposed New Elementary School

 

Proposed Design of Valley Center High School North Side Addition

 

Proposed Program Center Design

 

 Proposed New Valley Center High School Additions

 

Proposed New Valley Center Middle School Additions 

 

Proposed New Valley Center Intermediate School Additions 

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