Measure “I” will invest, impact and inspire.

That’ according to the Yes on “I” Committee on the Ripon Unified school bond measure on the Nov. 6 ballot.

“We feel that this measure has many positive short-term and long-term benefits for the community,” said committee Chairman Kit Oase.

The proposed $38.5 million bond calls for district-wide facilities improvements for many of the schools built more than 50 years ago.

“District staff has done a good job at maintaining these schools but many of the facilities are now in need of major improvement that are beyond the means of the district’s maintenance budget,” the Measure “I” information statement said.

If passed – required is 55 percent of ‘yes’ votes – Measure “I” could make possible funding for the following projects:

• Improve student safety and security at all schools, including fencing, cameras and updated safety hardware and access to buildings.
• Replace portable classrooms with permanent structures while modernizing the existing facilities and replacing the roof at Ripona Elementary School.
• Modernize and improve school facilities at Ripon High, and replace the outdated portables there with permanent classrooms.
• Build a new science lab at RHS while modernizing and reconfiguring the career technical education facilities including the classrooms in the agriculture department.
• Build new restrooms at RHS stadium (Stouffer Field) for physical education classes as well as school and community events.
• Renovate outdated restrooms at Ripon Elementary School, and replace roofs on classrooms and other buildings.
• Acquire land as required and provide additional classrooms to enable RUSD to maintain smaller class sizes.
• Modernize or replace classrooms to help improve student learning to better prepare them for college and competitive opportunities upon graduation.

The projects were based on an initial review of the district’s needs and may change.

Oase and others in the group indicated that the bond measure, if passed, may not sufficiently covered the cost for the list of proposed projects but could be supported by other available funds such as future developer fees, State Aid eligibility, and reimbursements.

RUSD is in line to receive about $6.3 million in State Aid reimbursements from the Weston Elementary School reconstruction project – money from Measure “G” would, in turn, be applied towards the Colony Oak Elementary School project, which was also part of the voter-approved 2012 bond measure.

The district could receive such reimbursements from the state via matching funds.

Besides Oase, other Yes on Measure “I” members include Chad Huskey (RUSD board President), Melissa Skates (Parent), Karina Ilardi (Parent), and Marge Imfeld (Treasure).

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.