Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Measure M, a $350 million bond that would fund much-needed renovation and construction projects at every school in the district, is so far passing by a narrow margin.
Measure M would raise $18.3 million annually by placing $60 per $100,000 of assessed value on properties within the district. That would take a small but significant chunk out of the estimated $1 billion in unfunded maintenance needs in the vast district.
In Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, 55.39% have voted yes. While the measure needs a 55% vote to pass, the knife’s-edge victory left PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras cautiously optimistic about the results.
“We’re holding our breath and hoping for the best,” she said. “We know this is an expensive county to live in, and we were asking potentially for a tough decision from our voters, so we definitely thought it would be close.”
The last time PVUSD voters passed a school bond was in 2012 with Measure L, a $150 million bond that is now drawing to a close after funding projects throughout the district, most notably the athletic field at Pajaro Valley High School.
Measure M, if it passes, will fund a performing arts center at that school.
Opponents of the measure pointed out that voters are still paying off Measure J, which was approved in the 2002 election, as well as Measure L.
