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Starting in 2019, Sierra Sands Unified School District conducted a facilities master plan to determine the condition of current infrastructure and assess future needs. This study revealed the need for some $160 million in improvements. In the absence of a dedicated revenue stream to fund the modernization, SSUSD began exploring all funding opportunities.

In Summer of 2023, the district was notified that Pierce (or Vieweg) qualified for Department of Defense (DoD) grant funds to build a new school and that if the district could come up with the 20% matching funds to pay for the new school, the federal funding would be provided. At that time, with construction under way for Richmond Elementary, which was closed due to severe earthquake damage in 2019 and was being rebuilt with DoD grant funds also requiring a 20% match, all district construction funds were fully allocated to that project. SSUSD partnered with Government Financial Strategies (GFS) to determine how to best leverage resources to fund this required match and make other facilities repairs identified in the facilities master plan.

In January 2024, SSUSD partnered with EMC Research to poll the community as to priorities for our schools. The top community priorities included:

Ensure school safety
Ensure all schools are prepared for earthquakes
Fix or replace leaky roofs, doors, and windows
Utilize opportunities for Department of Defense matching funds
Replace deteriorating plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems
Expand facilities to support programs in reading and literacy for the youngest learners

The SSUSD Board of Education heard the committee report on March 7 and then solicited additional community input, with hundreds of respondents confirming the priorities. This second report was shared with the board on July 18, 2024. As a result, the board adopted a resolution to pursue voter approval for Measure AA on the November 5 General Election Ballot.

Because California restrictions prohibit SSUSD from advocating for a bond measure, members of the Friends of Sierra Sands and other volunteers joined forces to engage voters and encourage support for Measure AA. District officials can answer questions relating to the bond and our schools but cannot use any official resources to promote it. This includes printing promotional materials, hosting campaign discussions on school property and any other subsidization of committee activities.

California law requires that coordinated efforts to raise money for a ballot item adhere to strict reporting requirements outlined by the Fair Political Practices Commission. The Friends of Sierra Sands is responsible for determining how to effectively raise money and awareness to garner voter support for Measure AA.

Have more questions? Check out the FAQs from the Sierra Sands Unified School District