Public Hearing to Address Proposed Bond for Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa Academy's new campus on La Piedra Road opened in September 2013. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

A public hearing will be held during the Aug. 5 Menifee City Council meeting regarding the proposed issuance of a bond to fund an expansion of Santa Rosa Academy in Menifee.

The bond would be issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority, a Joint Powers Authority created to strengthen local communities by assisting with the financing of economic development and charitable activities. According to city documents, the bond or bonds would not exceed $15 million.

Laura Badillo, executive director of Santa Rosa Academy, said in an email that the main project to be funded by the bond would be a school gymnasium, which was in the original design for the school as an additional phase. The public charter school opened in 2005, has grown tremendously in recent years, and opened the doors to a 63,000-square-foot facility for grades K-12 at 27587 La Piedra Road in 2013.

"We are excited about building a gymnasium with the proceeds from the bond," Badillo said. "The gymnasium will have three courts for use by our students for PE during the school day and for our athletic programs after school. It will also be used for events such as performances, assemblies and awards ceremonies."

The public hearing is required by section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The public is invited to the hearing during the regular city council meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 29714 Haun Road in Menifee.