Politics & Government

Prop. R School Bond Is Defeated, Falls Short of 55 Percent Approval

"For most of us, this is clearly a disappointing result," said Ramona schools chief Robert Graeff.

Despite support from Ramona Unified School District Superintendent Robert Graeff and a neck-and-neck race, Proposition R, which planned for a $66 million school bond, was not passed Tuesday night.

With 100 percent of the Ramona precincts accounted for at 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, majority ruled "No" on Prop R at 50.54 percent.

The controversial bond needs 55 percent in order to pass.

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"For most of us, this is clearly a disappointing result," Graeff said in a statement. "This measure–the fifth straight failed attempt by the District–would have raised $66 million from the local community and would have generated an additional $14 million in state matching funds."

Graeff said that the majority vote of "no" includes only 11,000 votes and that the county is still in the process of counting as many as 5,000 more mail-in-ballots from Ramona.

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It is highly unlikely that the remaining votes will be able to push our overall support above the 55 percent threshold required for passage," he said.

Graeff spoke on Proposition R at a forum on Oct. 17. saying the school bond prop would help with the "basic, fundamental issues" the school district sees across the board: damaged pipes, damaged lockers, old playground equipment and other building concerns.

"We're convinced we have a whole lot of structural issues in our district," Graeff said at the forum. "We have... no modern efficiency whatsoever. We have a hard time paying for electricity we need; we have a hard time paying for electricty we have."

Unfortunately, those necessary issues will have to be funded another way or not at all.

The district superintendent said he's been repeatedly asked about the district's next steps, including an inquire from Ramona Patch.

"This is a question better left to our local school board," Graeff stated. "But clearly, the facility needs of our schools and our children remain. Without addressing each site's 'project list' or the building loan initiated several years ago, one wonders which direction now to go and how we will meet the growing list of needs."

Graeff said he owes his fellow Proposition R supporters his appreciation, gratitude and respect for their "valiant effort."

The superintendent gave a list of some of the factors which figured into the apparent defeat of Proposiiton R:

  • Recent exposure of Poway Unified's use of capital appreciation bonds in their recent bond program
  • Last month's new and unexpected fire prevention fee to many local residents living in "state responsibility areas"
  • Two additional statewide tax measures on the ballot for public schools (Prop 30 and 38)
  • The daily barrage over the past three months by various media agencies rallying against public schools
  • Or perhaps the local community which is simply unwilling or unable to provide our local schools with additional funding support

"Bond or no bond, support or no support–the bulk of our employees continue to march forward, engage with children, and say, 'How can I help you today?'" Graeff stated. "That's what I will always love about Ramona!"


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