SPUSD Town Hall Meeting - 09/30/26

The Santa Paula Unified School District held a Measure C town hall on September 30, 2026, to explain the proposed school facilities bond and answer community questions. The superintendent said the three priority projects are rebuilding the historic Bride and Gym, constructing a new aquatic center, and building a performing arts/band facility at the high schools. R&T Architects estimated total project costs at about $73 million; Measure C would provide $48.6 million, while more than $22 million in insurance proceeds from the damaged gym is designated for its replacement. The gym alone is estimated at $36.486 million, about $13.5 million more than the insurance proceeds, and the district cited an overall funding shortfall of about $36 million, with construction-cost escalation a concern. No contract awards or vendor selections were announced; the district said construction companies were lined up, plans were under review by the Department of State Architecture, and summer 2027 was the earliest potential start of construction.

The superintendent reported that the Board had passed a resolution earlier that day clarifying that, if Measure C is approved, its funds may be spent only at district high school facilities—not middle or elementary schools—and identifying the gym, aquatic center, and performing arts center as priorities. The district said bond spending is restricted to construction and would not fund salaries, and that a bond oversight committee reviews expenditures every other month and reports publicly. Community members raised concerns about school facility needs, project priorities, prior bond spending, and the potential property-tax impact; the meeting was informational, and no vote on Measure C took place.