Rim of the World Unified School District
Frequently Asked Questions About Updating Aging Schools

How are our Rim of the World schools doing? 
Rim of the World Unified School District (ROWUSD) and our mountain community are dedicated to ensuring each student achieves academic and individual excellence by engaging all students in meaningful programs which meet the highest educational and ethical standards within a caring, collaborative learning environment. All students will be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens. Our district serves nearly 3,000 students across three elementary schools, one middle school, comprehensive high school, a continuation high school, and a virtual academy.

What challenges do our Rim of the World schools face?
Our schools were built 50+ years ago and need to be repaired and upgraded. Old plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical systems need to be replaced, and classrooms and science labs need to be updated to meet current student safety and educational standards. As temperatures rise, classrooms get too hot to teach in and ventilation systems are not sufficient to ensure healthy, clean air for students and educators.

How does the Rim of the World Unified School District plan to address these challenges? 
To complete needed repairs and improvements across our community schools, the ROWUSD Governing Board is considering placing a $71 million dollar bond measure on the November 2024 ballot.

How specifically would the bond measure update aging classrooms and schools? 
If approved by local voters, funding from the local bond measure could be used to:

• Improve school safety and security systems
• Repair deteriorating roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems
• Update heating and cooling systems and remove asbestos and lead pipes where found
• Update classrooms and science labs
• Support quality academics in science, math, engineering, arts, and other skilled trades

How do we know funds from the measure would be spent wisely? 
By law, the bond measure would require accountability protections, including:

• All funds would be controlled locally for ROWUSD schools only and could not be taken away by the State
• An independent citizens' oversight committee and mandatory annual audits would ensure all funds are spent as voters intended
• A detailed project list outlining the specific use of funds would be required
• No funds could be used for administrators’ salaries

Hasn’t ROWUSD been trying to pass a bond for a while?
Significant upgrades and improvements are needed at our older schools and are beyond what can be accomplished by our maintenance team and by our regular maintenance budget. ROWSD attempted to pass a bond measure in 2020, but it failed. Our local schools have an urgent need for facilities funding. As more time has passed, the facility needs have gotten worse and become more pressing to address.

How much would the bond measure cost? 
The annual cost of the measure is estimated to be $30 per $100,000 of assessed property value (not market value) per year for as long as bonds are outstanding, or about $73 per year for the typical homeowner. Assessed value is determined by the San Bernardino County Assessor and is often much closer to the original purchase price of the home than to the current market value.

Would all funds benefit our schools in Rim of the World Unified School District? 
Yes. All funds would be locally controlled and would benefit ROWUSD community schools. No funding could be taken away by the State or used for other purposes. 

I don’t have children attending local schools. How does this impact me?
Even if you do not have children attending our local schools, supporting the potential measure is a wise investment, good schools improve quality of life in the community and protect the value of homes.

Which local schools would benefit from funding from the measure?
The facilities improvement bond measure would provide funding to complete repairs and updates at all schools in ROWUSD, and each school will get its fair share.

Is there any other way to maintain and improve our schools? 
Our district has very few options when it comes to funding the necessary repairs and updates that our schools need. Redirecting funds in the current budget would take resources out of our classrooms and away from our students. The facilities improvement bond measure could provide the funding needed to fix and improve school facilities to ensure we can continue to provide a safe, modern learning environment for all local students.

When would a measure appear on the ballot?
The ROWUSD Governing Board is considering placing a measure on the November 2024 ballot.

What level of support is required to pass a bond measure?
At least 55% of those voters who cast a ballot on the measure must vote "Yes" for approval.

Are senior exemptions available?
By state law, no exemptions may be provided for bond measures. However, the total cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of a home, not the market value. The longer a home has been owned, the lower the assessed value because it is based on the original purchase price. Typically, older homeowners who have owned their homes the longest pay the least for bond measures.

How can I learn more?
As we continue to prepare for the future of our local schools, we would like to hear your thoughts. To learn more please visit [website link]. If you have questions or feedback you would like to share, please reach out to Jenny Haberlin at jenny_haberlin@rimsd.k12.ca.us