FREMONT SEEKS COMMUNITY INPUT ON SCHOOL NEEDS

By Rob Dennis
The Argus

FREMONT -- The school district will hold two community meetings next month to find out what residents think about school facility needs for the next two decades.

The sessions are part of an effort to develop a long-range facilities plan and funding strategy, including a possible bond.

The school board Wednesday night discussed options for a bond, including how much the average homeowner would pay under various scenarios.

According to the Alameda County Auditor-Controller, Fremont has the lowest school district tax rate in the county -- $44.40 per $100,000 of assessed value. That compares with $164.50 for Albany and $153.40 for Piedmont, the districts with the highest rates.

Among its neighbors, Newark's rate is $93.50 while New Haven's is $129.50.

"It's an important consideration to see where you stack up," said Chet Wang, managing director of Keygent, which advises Fremont and other California school districts on financing issues. "Even if you were to add on a brand new $60, you would still be in line with ... your neighboring districts."

If the district asked voters to authorize a new tax of $60 per $100,000 of assessed value -- the option that would raise the most money -- the average homeowner, with a house valued at $385,000, would pay an extra $231 a year.

The deadline to put a bond on the ballot would be March 9 for the June primary or Aug. 10 for the November general election.

The board this month hired Godbe Research to conduct a phone survey of 600 Fremont voters about their support for a bond. In November, trustees approved a contract with WLC Architects and MGT of America to estimate how much it would cost to renovate or add facilities and raise technology infrastructure to current standards.

The most recent facilities assessment was completed in 2001 for a health and safety bond the following year. That study identified $230 million in facility needs, $157.2 million of which were covered by the bond. A $7.5 million bond surplus went toward other projects.

The consultants have gathered documents, conducted interviews and evaluated sites, and now they're seeking public input. Those sessions will be held Feb. 4 and 6 at Irvington High School, followed by an online survey Feb. 7 through 13.

"I hope everyone turns out to give their input, because we need everyone's help on this one," trustee Bryan Gebhardt said.

The final assessment report is expected to be completed in March, followed by a long-range facilities plan in June.