A Pared-Down School Bond Measure Goes to Conejo Valley Voters

The last time a Conejo Valley Unified school bond measure appeared on local ballots, taxpayer activist Jere Robings had written the ballot pamphlet argument in opposition.

Months later, as the bond returns for a third appearance before voters in a year, Robings’ signature appears on the ballot argument in favor. This time no one has submitted an argument against the bond.

Supporters of Measure R cite such changes of heart as evidence the $88-million bond will win the needed two-thirds vote. It failed last November with 64% in favor and again in April with 63% backing the measure.

“The picture has changed,” Robings said. “They responded to the concerns I expressed.”

Bond backers say they won over supporters such as Robings because they pared down the size of the bond measure--from $97 million--and limited the repayment terms.

They also redoubled their campaign efforts, raising $65,000 so far in support of the measure--far more than supporters raised in the last two campaigns. That money is being spent on pamphlets mailed to voters.

“This is a campaign that’s being conducted through the mailbox,” committee Chairwoman Alice Humbertson said. Community forums have been scrapped in favor of meetings with service clubs and homeowners groups.

Supporters argue that the bond makes good economic sense. They say homeowners can help keep good schools for $24 a year in extra taxes per $100,000 of assessed value.

“You’re talking two bucks a month. It’s the cost of a Happy Meal,” Humbertson said. “It’s not a lot when you’re looking at the value that it brings into the community.”

As proponents have stepped up their efforts this time around, critics have dropped or softened their opposition. In the past two elections, detractors objected that school officials had asked voters for too much without explaining what the money would buy.

Among those critics is Robin Westmiller, a mother of three Conejo Valley students who describes her position on Measure R as neutral. She says she understands the need for the money, but still worries it will be mismanaged.

“Just because you have $88 million in your checking account doesn’t mean you should be spending it,” Westmiller said.

The Measure R campaign efforts are impressive, said Herbert Gooch, a Cal Lutheran political science professor and observer of Thousand Oaks politics.

“This time they’ve done a lot more work and that’s how they got the opposition out of the way. Without a regulated opposition, they could be able to get it through,” Gooch said. “Still, two-thirds is a pretty high bar to jump over.”

In reducing the bond amount, school officials chose to scale back several projects, including renovations planned for Conejo Valley High School. Also to be reduced are planned improvements in the district’s facilities for maintenance, operations, transportation and storage.

Officials say the money would be spent as follows:

* $35 million for health and safety improvements, such as work on air conditioning, drainage and parking lots.

* $24.5 million for campus modernization projects, including installation of new sewer lines.

* $8 million for gymnasiums and multipurpose buildings at the district’s middle schools.

* $2.7 million for computer wiring at various campuses.

* $12 million for a range of other projects, such as a $400,000 covered lunch area at one campus.

District officials say the schools are falling into disrepair and they desperately need the bond money to halt the decline.

“The bottom line is we must ask for this money,” district Supt. Jerry Gross said. “We have no choice. We’ve waited long enough.”