Rancho Santa Fe Beats Bond Odds

The tiny Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School District, with one school site and 540 students, last week showed that smaller can be better by winning a general bond election with a record margin.

By 83.4%, voters in the school district approved a $2.7-million bond to add 12 classrooms to the district. The margin of victory is the largest ever by any school district in the county and larger than any other district in the state in more than eight years.

“We’re exceedingly grateful for this vote and the community’s confidence in the school that it reflects,” said Supt. Roger Rowe.

General bond elections, which may be applied only to capital outlay, must receive a two-thirds majority to win, and of 12 general bond elections in the county since 1986, only one has been successful. The Escondido Union Elementary district won with a 73% margin in 1989 for its $27-million bond.

Rowe attributed his district’s success to its small size, the community’s high interest in education and the holding of the bond issue during a special, single-issue election. The $5,000 the election cost was well worth it, he said.

Rowe said the community has closely identified itself with the district, which comprises an elementary and a middle school on the same site, as demonstrated by the high turnout: 33% of the district’s 3,309 voters.

Homeowners will be levied a tax of $8.50 a year per $100,000 of assessed property valuation for the next 15 years.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by August.