Impact of bond measures already visible for students & teachers


For Immediate Release Kristn Loven


kloven@inyocoe.org


760-873-3262 ext. 2870

June 1, 2026: One hundred thirty-seven (137) separate and distinct improvement projects have been completed at local schools in just the first year of Measure R, Measure S, and Measure T.

 

From electrical, to roof repairs, restroom partitions, painting and more, these enhancements improved safety, classroom temperatures, and privacy for the more than 2000 kids.

 

It was in November of 2024 that local voters approved the school improvement bond measures for Owens Valley Unified School District and Bishop Unified School District. Voters in both areas approved the measures so the districts to secure an influx of facility upgrade monies. Measure T for Owens Valley authorized Owens Valley district to issue 7.3 million in bonds and levy a property tax of approximately $49 per $100,000 of assessed property value to everyone in the OV district boundaries. Measure S and Measure R relate to the schools within the Bishop District. The amount of bonds issued for these two measures totals $60.5 million, but the property assessment works different depending on where you live. Since Round Valley has its own elementary school district, residents from that location only voted, and are being levied for the $46.3 million for Home Street Middle School and Bishop High (Measure R) in bonds at a rate of $52 per 100,000 of assessed property. Residents in the City of Bishop, the greater Bishop area and some parts of Mono County, voted to be allow the Bishop District to issue an extra $14.2 million in bonds. They will also be levied a fee for an additional $18 per $100,000 of property for Bishop Elementary School (Measure S). All three bond measures passed in with over 60% of eligible voters voting “yes.”.

 

After the passage of the bond measures, both BUSD and OVUSD created Facility Master Plans (FMP). A FMP was assembled by large group of local participants in collaboration with professionals from K12 Partners and Urban Futures Inc. Urban Futures Inc. is a public finance group that specializes in helping public agencies manage bond measure monies and has been in business since 1972. K12 Partners help generate master facility plans for schools throughout CA, creating practical visions and realistic results. Along with District administration, school leaders and staff, and both OVUSD and BUSD’s Board of Educations, they each shaped recommendations that will continue to guide their projects for years to come.

 

In Bishop, before discussions began regarding a possible bond measure, a community wide poll was organized to drill down on the community’s priorities regarding local school. Overwhelming support was shown for the maintaining the original main building of Bishop High School, built in the early 1900’s. The plan for Measure R was to spend approximately 70% on the renovation of that historic building. And that is exactly what will be done.

 

Bishop Unified School District (BUSD), with Measure R, presently has $1.84 million in active renovation/repair projects underway, with an additional $2.39 million already completed. Some of the improvements include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) replacement and repairs in more than nine buildings and classrooms across the high school and middle school campuses, major electrical work in the Carl Lind Board Room, waterline repair, emergency irrigation and sewer line repair, roof replacement, bathroom rehabilitation, and concrete. For a complete list of projects completed so far click HERE .

 

Measure S, at Bishop Elementary School (BES), is currently managing $ 500,000 in active projects with over $681,000 of projects already completed. Improvements at BES fall into 5 major categories; HVAC and roof upgrades, utilities and infrastructure repairs, playground and landscaping improvements, safety and security enhancements, and interior upgrades such as flooring and restrooms. For a complete list of projects completed so far click HERE .

 

So far, BUSD, with both Measure R and Measure S, have been undertaken with a comprehensive, system-wide approach, tackling larger capital needs while improving both safety and day to day functioning. As with any construction project, priorities continue to arise and emergencies happen.

 

Owens Valley Unified School District’s (OVUSD) Measure T has the benefit of not just improving the safety and functionality of the schools for the students and teachers, but to improve facilities utilized by the entire community. With that in mind, many OVUSD projects focus on athletic fields, indoor gymnasium repairs and upgrades, and outdoor facility upgrades including courts and playfields. OVUSD currently has $585,000 in projects being actively worked on and has completed $1.06 million in projects which include not only the sports facilities, but new HVAC systems, restroom repairs, paint, and electrical work. For a complete list of projects completed so far click HERE.

 

Looking ahead at summer projects

 

· OVUSD will focus on new carpeting and flooring, pool resurfacing, and a room remodel

 

· BUHS will be completing roof installations on three buildings and working on the West Gym swamp cooler.

 

· Home Street Middle School is replacing the floors and seating in their multi-purpose room, repaving the bud parking lot, and installing 15 new HVAC units around the campus.

 

· BES is getting new 1st grade playground equipment and 5th grade swings, along with a new roof on the transitional kindergarten building.

 

All projects as part of Measure R, S, and T will continue for the next several years, with work continuing through 2030.

 

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