By Julie BUTCHER

At a special governing board workshop on Jan. 29, the La Cañada Unified School District took steps to begin to implement the $149 million school bond adopted by the voters in November 2017 and to establish a timeline for getting started on its new master plan, which is expected to be partially funded by the Measure LCF bond.

Members of the LCUSD board reviewed the funding of the bond. There will be several issuances over the coming years with the first issuance of $30 million expected in late spring, according to Mark Evans, the district’s chief business and operations officer. 

Chief Technology Officer Jamie Lee Lewsadder led the board members through an exercise about educational standards and classroom design, critical as plans for wiring and infrastructure upgrades are developed. The Irvine-based architectural firm LPA, Inc., which helped the district develop the master plan, reviewed the priorities listed before the election to identify those ripe for the first $30 million. These include the sewer line for Palm Crest Elementary, overall classroom modernization, specific efforts to enhance school safety and security and additional projects, such as a lunch shelter at Paradise Canyon.

Adopted with the approval of 71% of the voters, Measure LCF extends existing bonds so that property owners continue to pay the same amount rather than seeing a prospective reduction as the older bonds expire. The proponents of the ballot measure argued that “while our schools continue to rank among California’s best, all La Cañada USD schools were built over 45 years ago and need to be updated. Essential repairs and improvements will ensure our schools continue to serve our students and the community for decades to come.”

Moody’s Investor Service upgraded the La Cañada Unified School District’s bond rating for general obligation bonds from Aa2 to Aa1 in April 2017 to reflect the improving financial outlook of the district, particularly considering the willingness of voters and property owners to approve ongoing funding measures.

Superintendent Wendy Sinnette explained that the bond oversight committee required by the bond measure must be appointed within 60 days of the certification of the election. She also reported that the district intends to send mailers to all of the LCUSD stakeholders to explain the bond program as it rolls out.

The LCUSD board meets regularly on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the district’s headquarters at 4490 Cornishon Ave. in La Cañada.