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2006 Bond Issue and Renewal of the SB-9 Two-Mill Levy

kids in lockersDate of election: Tuesday, February 7

What’s on the ballot?
( Para información en español, prete aquí.)

Two questions: A $39 million bond issue for new school construction, and renewal of the two-mill levy for school maintenance and technology.

Impact on taxes: Passage of the bond issue question lets the district issue new bonds as old ones are paid off, so the tax rate will NOT increase. Passage of the mill levy question gives the district permission to continue collecting the two-mill levy already in effect.

Where do I vote? View the voting district map here... (pdf)

Please note: The edition of Inside our Schools published in early January contained inaccurate information about the polling places in school board districts 2 and 4. Voters in District 2 vote at Lincoln Middle School and voters in District 4 vote at Rio Rancho Elementary. Inside our Schools had them backward. The information on polling places in the two bond issue flyers mailed to Rio Rancho residents, and the information on this Web site, is correct. We apologize for the error and any confusion.

What will the bond money be used for?
Second High School for Rio Rancho: $35.1 million

  • The state has awarded Rio Rancho $46.8 million for design and construction of a new high school -- 65% of the anticipated cost of $72.6 million. However, in order to get the state money, the district must provide matching funds to cover the remaining 35% ($25.8 million). It’s a great deal -- if the bond passes, Rio Rancho will get a $72 million school for $25.8 million.

    The bond issue also includes $9.3 million to furnish and equip the new school and to provide technology. If the community does not pass the bond issue and the district can’t come up with the required $25.8 million in matching funds, the state will take back its $46.8 million contribution. The community would then be required to foot the entire bill for the high school.
  • New Elementary School to be located in northern Rio Rancho: $4.1 million
  • The bond issue includes $3.3 million to provide matching funds for an elementary school, in anticipation of the state awarding the remaining funds (more than $7 million) necessary to complete the school. The bond issue also includes about $600,000 towards furnishings and technology and land acquisition.

Passage of the bond issue will benefit every child in the community by ensuring students have a safe and functional environment in which to learn and by alleviating overcrowding at RRHS, the Mid-High, and elementary schools in the north end of the district. Students throughout the district benefit from construction of the second high school.

Passage of the bond issue and mill levy contributes to a strong community because good schools encourage families and businesses to choose Rio Rancho as a place to live and do business. Quality schools help to keep property values strong, and promote economic development.

If the bond issue does not pass:
Rio Rancho HS and Rio Rancho Mid-High are already crowded and will become overcrowded in a very short period of time. Enrollment in grades 9-12 already is approaching 4,000 students, and may top 5,000 in the next five years.

With no matching funds available to support elementary school construction, elementary schools district-wide would also quickly become overcrowded. Eventually, the district might have to consider such unpopular alternatives as extended sessions and year-round calendars.

If the mill levy does not pass:
The district will not have the funding it needs to keep our schools in good repair and to provide students with current technology. Maintenance will have to be put off, and it would cost more later to fix problems in deteriorating schools than it would to properly maintain buildings on an appropriate schedule. What maintenance must be done would have to be paid for out of the operational budget, taking money away from educational programs and teacher salaries.
 
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