$375 Million School Improvement Bond Heads to Fall Ballot in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified

Voters in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District will be voting on a $375 Million Bond in November.

By Brian Hews

Voters throughout the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District will be determining the fate of a massive $375 Million school improvement general obligation bond that proponents claim would go directly “toward improving education and every school in the District.”

On Monday, the Board of Education voted to have the issue placed on the November 4th ballot and if passed by voters, the bond funds would be dedicated to building new infrastructure as well as to support technology.

A spokesperson for the NLMUSD told Hews Media Group-Community Newspaper that the bond funds would also be dedicated to “performing various renovations and modernizations to all District sites and providing electronic devices for all classrooms.”

“The District has been diligent in asking for and receiving input regarding this prospective bond measure, and what our stakeholders expect from it,” said NLMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez. “All funds are earmarked for classroom and school improvements as we continue with our mission to ensure Norwalk-La Mirada students are accomplished 21st century learners and are successful in college and their prospective careers.”

A recent survey of more than 400 likely voters found that 67 percent would vote yes on the proposed Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Classroom Repair and School Safety Measure. A bond measure would need 55 percent approval to pass.

Perez said that nearly eight out of 10 prospective voters, or about 78 percent, said they believe the District has a need for additional funding and recognize the challenges it faces.
Perez also told HMG-CN “among the top features of the measure considered by respondents to be extremely or very important include preparing students for 21st century jobs; updating science, math and computer technology; improving education at every school in Norwalk and La Mirada; and repairing classrooms and leaky roofs.”

“When looking at our survey, we found that an overwhelming majority of the community felt physical education and sports provided healthy after-school activities and that the District needed to make improvements to ensure school safety and security,” said NLMUSD Board of Education President Margarita Rios.

“The facilities master plan addresses those concerns, and if the bond passes, the District will start the process in meeting the needs outlined in the plan,” Rios stressed.

Campuses throughout the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District have not seen improvements for decades, and many feel that this particular bond would go a long way to provide the needed funding

Voters in the ABC Unified School District, Cerritos Community College District will also be voting on bond improvements measures on the November ballot.