By Catelyn DiLeva
Opinion Editor
The Hermosa Beach City School District will begin renovations to all Hermosa schools on July 1 under Measure S, a city bond issue that aims to modernize the facilities and technology present within its schools. The measure’s renovations will prove favorable for the Hermosa school district due to their potential to modernize outdated buildings and facilities as well as broaden the current security system to account for the growing student population.
Under Measure S, a $59-million school bond, the district is aiming to repair and update the aging infrastructure of the North School, Hermosa View and Hermosa Valley facilities while also addressing overcrowding. Goals include improved safety measures, increased security precautions and upgraded food service, HBCSD Superintendent Patricia Escalante said. The district hopes to complete the renovations within the next two years, she said.
The implementation of Measure S is broken into different stages. The reconstruction of North School, which was first constructed in 1924 as an adult school, is the plan’s first priority because it is the oldest campus and, thus, needs to have major infrastructure changes, Escalante said. Prioritizing North School is justified because the inadequate conditions of the school create an insufficient and unwelcoming environment for students.
Click here to read more about Measure S.
One initiative of the measure is to modernize existing classrooms and buildings, primarily aging roofs, walls, windows, doors, floors and ceilings at all Hermosa schools, according to the HBCSD website. These renovations will help improve the visual atmosphere of the schools while providing positive and safe learning environments.
Another beneficial proposition of Measure S is the removal of portable classrooms, some of which are being replaced with newly built buildings. Hermosa’s schools initially integrated these structures to manage overcrowded classrooms caused by growing student populations, Escalante said. Although the school was proactive in accommodating students’ needs at the time, portable classes are no longer a sufficient permanent alternative to traditional classrooms. The construction and furnishing of permanent classrooms will, therefore, better manage overcrowding.
Measure S additionally calls for increased safety precautions on HBCSD campuses. The security improvements include the strengthening of fire safety systems, emergency communication systems, locks and fencing, according to the full text of Ballot Measure S. Increasing the amount of security on all HBCSD campuses is just as vital as ensuring all students are learning in the best possible environments. An increased security presence will be comforting to students who can rely on their schools to keep them safe.
Click here to read about Measure S final results.
According to the district website, Hermosa residents’ taxes will increase by $29.50 per $100,000 assessed property value to fund the new measure. According to the Argument in Favor of Measure S, Measure S protects taxpayers by law and the spending is annually reviewed by an independent citizens’ oversight committee to ensure responsible use of tax money. Having the spending annually reviewed by a committee ensures the taxpayers that their money is being used properly.
The committee’s review will ensure that all bond funds are spent on Hermosa schools and are not taken by the State or used for administrator or teacher salaries. The independent citizens’ oversight committee is vital for implementing this measure because it will guarantee that taxpayers’ money is being used solely for its intended purpose.
Photos: Measure S will benefit Hermosa Beach’s school district.
The implementation of Measure S will greatly benefit all HBCSD students and staff by providing Hermosa classrooms with plenty of security, up-to-date technology, modernized facilities and permanent classrooms.
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