A survey conducted by a research firm indicated that a $187 million bond measure considered by the Perris Union High School District could have just enough support to pass.
Survey results were reported to the PUHSD Board of Trustees at its Feb. 11 meeting. The results, obtained by the True North Research firm of San Diego, showed that 55 percent of the 701 respondents said they would support the bond measure – exactly the minimum percentage needed to pass.
“I think the results show that you should take the challenge, but it will require robust education and engagement,” said Timothy McLarney, president of True North Research.
PUHSD officials hired True North Research, which it has used before, to gauge public reaction to a proposed school bond. According to the proposed bond language, the bond measure would levy approximately $20 per $100,000 of assessed property value ($12 million annually) on homeowners in Menifee and Perris while the bonds are outstanding. The funds would be used to:
— Repair and upgrade classrooms, science labs, career training facilities, and school facilities to support college/career readiness in math, science, engineering, technology, arts, and skill trades.
— Construct/acquire classrooms and facilities to avoid overcrowding.
— Improve school safety/security systems.
In keeping with a format used often in the past, the survey starts out with general questions to gauge respondents’ interest in general public entities and structures that require funding for construction or maintenance. At first mention of the $187 million figure, respondents expressed 56 percent support. When more positive statements were given, the figure increased to 65 percent.
After the last section of the survey pointed out potentially negative aspects of such as bond measure, the approval rate settled at 55 percent.
The last PUHSD bond issue, Measure W, had received just over 52 percent of the required 55 percent “yes” votes in results released the day after the election. However, it finished with 55.89 “yes” percent of the vote. The “yes” votes increased steadily over the last two weeks as officials continued to count the thousands of remaining mail-in and provisional ballots.
Board members were told they have until Aug. 7 to decide whether to place such a ballot measure on the November ballot.
In other matters addressed during the board meeting:
— Trustees unanimously approved a list of 73 “Classified Employee Action Items” proposed to be approved in one vote. It included changes in employee status, new hires, and extra duty assignments.
The approval included the promotion of Paloma Valley High School lead custodian Anthony Stafford Jr. to plant manager at Heritage High School. That proposed promotion has been criticized by several PUHSD employees because of the nature of two panel interviews and the district’s rejection of a recommendation to hire another Paloma Valley custodian. Accusations of nepotism have also been made, as reported in this previous news article.
Trustee Anthony Stafford Sr., the father of Anthony Stafford Jr., recused himself from the vote and submitted a letter to the clerk as a matter of record. There was no discussion before the vote and no mention of the Stafford issue. After the meeting, Menifee 24/7 requested a copy of the letter and was told to submit an official public records request. That request has been submitted.
— By a 3-2 vote, the board approved a contract amendment for Superintendent Dr. Jose Luis Araux, raising him to step 5 on the salary schedule and increasing his salary to $328,508. Araux, a former PUHSD board member and principal in the Jurupa Valley Unified School District, was hired as Superintendent in August 2024 at a salary of $304,457.
Araux, who had no previous experience as an assistant superintendent or superintendent, began at step 4 in Aug. 2024. In a year and a half, he has bypassed three salary level steps and is now at the highest level.
Board members Steve Campos and Charles Hall voted against the contract amendment. Campos first made a motion to table the item for further study, but that motion failed. Campos then joined Hall in voting no, with “yes” votes coming from Edward Garcia, Jamie Anaya, and Anthony T. Stafford Sr.
Campos explained afterward that he had simply wanted more time to study the issue, but the motion had already passed.
— Araux and all the board members praised the success of PUHSD’s first State of the District event, which was held Feb. 6. Highlights of that presentation and the entire program video will be published here on Monday.
“It was a wonderful event,” Araux said. “The staff are the ones who made it happen. These are the kinds of issues we need to advertise. When we have good news, we need to it advertise it ourselves, because no one else will do it for us.”
— Board members unanimously approved a charter renewal for California Military Institute, a school located in Perris that has received high praise for its success in developing outstanding students.
