Gonzales parents push for new school through Measure J

GONZALES, Calif. (KION) If approved, Measure J would authorize $24.5 million dollars in bonds to fund school improvements projects, like repairing current elementary school facilities.

Gonzales Unified School District Board President Sonia Jaramillo told KION they hope to use the funding to build a new elementary school.

“Currently, we have a lot of traffic. Our schools are over impacted and we need to have a new facility for our students to be able to have more space and have our classrooms with less students in the classrooms,” Jaramillo said.

Jaramillo said the school would be constructed on land donated by the Fanoe family and would likely be located in the fields out near Fanoe Road.

The district also hopes to improve classroom technology and student internet access, something they found was a major need during the pandemic.

Some parents we spoke with support the measure and said the district needs a new school.

“Kids don’t get individual or even a little bit of attention because the schools are too crowded," said Monica Rico who is a parent of two kids in the Gonzales district, including one at La Gloria Elementary School. "And even during lunchtime, there’s so many kids and they only get 45 minutes, but the lines are like 30 minutes long.”

But the measure is being met with some opposition.

“One of the main reasons is why–is because we have no trust with the school district because back in 2000 we gave them a bond measure G for a new school district and they never built that school,” Gonzales resident Roman Barba said.

Those opposed are also concerned with the large amount of money this would cost and how long it would take to pay it back. They also question how long it would take to begin construction on a new school.

The district estimates homeowners will pay 6 cents of every $100 of the assessed value of their home if the measure passes.

Measure J would need approval from at least 55 percent of registered voters to pass.

KION’s Elisha Machado will have a report explaining Measure J tonight on KION News at 5.

Click here for more information on Measure J: https://kion546.com/news/elections/2020/10/06/measure-j-gonzales-unified-school-district-elementary-school-construction-technology-improvement-bond/