Measure T: LODI UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT – SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT BOND OF 2026

In plain language

Measure T is a bond measure for Lodi Unified School District. A YES vote lets the district borrow $195 million by selling bonds. The money would repair leaky roofs and plumbing. It would fix worn-out electrical and gas lines. It would fix heating and air conditioning. It would improve school security. It would upgrade career training and college prep classrooms. A NO vote means the district does not get this money, and the projects do not happen. The measure states current tax rates are not expected to rise. It requires yearly audits, independent citizen oversight, and full spending disclosure.

Fiscal impact

The bonds cost an average of less than $22 per $100,000 of assessed value each year. They would raise about $11.4 million each year while owed. Current tax rates are not expected to rise.

Impartial analysis

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE T Lodi Unified School District Bond Measure Prepared by the San Joaquin County Counsel Approval of Measure T would allow the Lodi Unified School District (the “District”) to incur bond indebtedness up to a maximum principal amount of $195,000,000.00. The issuance and sale of such general obligation bonds would be to repair leaky roofs, plumbing, deteriorating electrical, gas lines, heating and air conditioning; improve school security; and upgrade career training and college preparation classrooms. The measure authorizes bond projects to be undertaken at all District sites, including current and future sites. The Bond Project List can be found in the full text of the measure. No funds derived from the bond sales may be used for general school operating expenses, including teacher or District administrators’ salaries, or for any purpose or project other than those expressly stated in the measure. To assure that funds derived from bond sales authorized by Measure T are spent only for the purposes expressly stated in the measure, and for no other purposes, Measure T would require the District to: (1) establish an independent citizens’ oversight committee; (2) conduct annual independent performance and financial audits; and (3) direct the funds to be deposited into a special account. If Measure T is approved, and bonds are authorized and sold, the principal thereof and interest thereon shall be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. If Measure T is approved, the tax rate necessary for payment of principal and interest on any bonds sold will be largely dictated by the timing of the bond sales, the amount sold at a given sale, market interest rates at the time of each sale (although in no event greater than the maximum bond net interest rate allowed by law), as well as actual assessed valuation of taxable property in the District over the term of repayment. The date and amount of bonds sold at any time will be determined by the District based on the need for project funds and other considerations. Approval of Measure T does not guarantee that the proposed projects or projects in the District that are the subject of bonds under Measure T will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure T. The District’s proposal for the project or projects may assume the receipt of matching State of California funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the State Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure. Passage of Measure T requires approval by fifty-five percent (55%) of voters voting thereon.

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.