LOS LUNAS — Los Lunas Schools is proposing a $24 million General Obligation bond and the continuation of a 2 and 3 mill levy on November’s ballot.
“The district goes to voters to renew existing property tax bonds, which allows Los Lunas Schools to build, renovate and maintain school sites,” said Sandra Traczyk, chief financial officer of LLS.
Traczyk said there will be no tax rate increase through the proposed bond and levies. If passed, she said it will bring in about $11 million per year for the district to spend on facility and technology improvements.
The 2 mill, which amounts to roughly $2 million annually, covers most of the facility repairs needed across the district and would qualify the district to receive an additional $1 million in state matching funds.
“We have 23 facilities averaging 42 years in age,” said Traczyk. “As the buildings get older, there are a lot of repairs that need to be done, so (the 2 mill) takes care of most of the repairs we have.”
These up keeps include maintenance and preventative maintenance, HVAC improvements, site concrete repairs, playground maintenance, parking lot improvements and more.
The 3 mill levy, which generates about $3 million per year, is dedicated to technology. Traczyk said revenue from this mill maintains the district’s internet and pays for a lot of technology equipment, such as iPads and laptops and other equipment the students use regularly.
The community will also have the opportunity to vote on a $24 million GO bond dedicated to big renovation projects.
Traczyk said revenue from this bond would go toward the rebuild of Peralta Elementary School as well as major renovation to Ann Parish Elementary.
“Ann Parish is not getting totally rebuilt, but a majority will be,” said Traczyk. “There are also several roofs that need to be done, so the GO bond will also pay for that.”
Traczyk said revenue from the last bond allowed campuses to be equipped with vestibules, which only allows someone access into the front entry if they are buzzed in. The future bond revenue would complete final touches on the vestibules and fund security camera upgrades.
“We’ve been very fortunate that the public has allowed us to have these funds,” said Traczyk. “The repairs need to happen no matter what, so we’re really hoping these all do pass because it keeps us from having to use our normal operation fund which would be pretty devastating, so I’m praying it passes.”
Felina Martinez was born and raised in Valencia County. She graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2021. During her time at UNM, she studied interdisciplinary film, digital media and journalism. She covers the village of Los Lunas, Los Lunas Schools, the School of Dreams Academy and the town of Peralta.
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April 25, 2024
