Ocean View school bond still in the works

A bond measure to update the aging Ocean View School District facilities would cost residents $30 per $100,000 on assessed property value.

But Jennifer Mavros, whose Huntington Beach house is assessed at $700,000, said she's more than willing to pay it to give her three young children the chance to attend improved schools and eventually attract more students to the city.

"I don't think there's any better investment than investing in our schools," she said. "I'm not just speaking as a parent, but also as a community member. I think the higher quality of education we can deliver benefits everyone, because when you have good schools, people tend to want to move to the neighborhood, so it can bring your property value up."

If passed, the bond measure would add about $210 a year to Mavros' property taxes.

Mavros, 36, was one of the co-chairs of the school district's Facilities Planning Advisory Committee (FPAC), which was made up of community members, residents and school officials to examine the needs and come up with a strategy on how to upgrade the school facilities.

The committee began in April and recommended the district place a general obligation bond measure on the November ballot. The board voted on Dec. 6 to go ahead with placing the measure on the ballot.

"Our facilities are in need of basic repairs and improvements," said Ocean View school board President Tracy Pellman.

The upgrades would bring the district's 15 school sites up to date with electricity and structure upgrades, and will also meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act, among others.

Because the facilities are more than 50 years old, the district qualifies for matched funding from the state.

But exactly how big the bond amount will be has not been determined yet, said Supt. William Loose.

It would take about $120 million to upgrade all the schools over time, Loose said.

mona.shadia@latimes.com

Twitter: @MonaShadia