Friday morning was a day filled with expectation, joy, and chocolate donuts as students and the community celebrated the groundbreaking for the Anderson Valley Unified Measure M Bond construction work. Anderson Valley voters passed a $13 million general obligation bond overwhelmingly with 72 percent of the vote in June 2022. The district was able to receive the first $7 million dollars in funding, and broke ground today for the elementary septic replacement project.
Students, Kindergarten-6th grade, were front and center at the celebration with handmade signs thanking the voters for their generosity in upgrading their school system. Students joined Board Members Justin Rhoades and Linnea Totten, Bond Chairman Philip Thomas, Principal Thomas-Swett, Architect Don Alameida and contractors from Northwest Construction in the festive ground breaking including a golden shovel turning over the first spade of dirt while students cut the caution tape ribbon.
Louise Simson, Superintendent, reminded students they had an obligation to repay this generosity of their community by being the best students and people they can be. Simson noted that the district was able to pull out the first round of financing in September 2022 only two months after the bond measure passed, in an effort to avoid the rising interest rates.
The septic project, a portion of which is expected to be funded by the Office of School Construction, is the first phase of the bond funds. Plans for the major remodel for the high school science wings, library classroom wing, and the gym exterior bathrooms are in plan review with the State. Construction on these projects is expected to commence in June 2024.
“For all of the community members that supported this bond effort, on behalf of the students, staff, and the generation to come, we will do our utmost to repay your kindness and trust through Innovating excellence in our educational opportunities to make Anderson Valley Unified “the” place to be. We are grateful.”