| EARLENE
WARD
One of the most common questions about unification is the bonded indebtedness
of the two districts
The proposed unification of Coarsegold Union Elementary School District
and Yosemite Joint Union High School District has moved to the county
level after both school boards voted to move forward with the process.
The local boards approved moving forward at a special joint meeting May
27. A petition has been sent to the Madera County Office of Education
which now has four months in which to hold public hearings and to make
a determination as to whether the criteria has been met and if the petition
should continue on to the State Board of Education.
Bill McCabe, superintendent of both districts, says he expects that the
county level review and public hearings will take the full four months
allowed. "It is prudent for them to move methodically through the
process and be sure that all requirements for unification are substantially
met," he said.
Once the petition reaches the state, there is no time limit for action.
When, and if, the State Board of Education approves the process, it would
then go to the voters in both districts.
"Ultimately, all of the processes we are going through now lead to
one thing," Mr. McCabe says, "and that is the voters' right
to make the decision. What we are doing now is the fact finding and public
input portion of the unification process. Once all of this has been completed
and the county and state agree that the districts meet the criteria to
unify, it is up to the voters to decide if they think this would be the
best thing for the students."
Mr. McCabe says he believes it is extremely important for the voters to
understand all of the ramifications of unification. To that end, he expects
to issue information on a regular basis to address questions that might
arise.
He says one of the most common questions he hears regards the current
bonded indebtedness of the two districts.
"This is a critical piece," he says and he has sought legal
advice regarding the payment of bonds if the districts unify.
"The bond payments would stay just as they are now," he says.
"The legal opinion we received is that the voters within the Yosemite
Joint Union High School District would continue to repay that district's
bond. Because everyone in Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Coarsegold, Fish Camp,
Oakhurst, Raymond and Wawona are within the Yosemite District, they would
continue to repay that bond. The Coarsegold Union Elementary School District
bond would continue to be the responsibility of those living in that district
only."
Any future bonds would be handled the same way. "For example, if
the unified district decided a new elementary school was needed in Coarsegold,
any bonded indebtedness for that school would be paid only by those in
Coarsegold who are benefiting from the school," Mr. McCabe explains.
"If improvements were needed at the high school, however, that bond
would be the responsibility of all taxpayers within the entire district
because students from all of the elementary schools in the area attend
Yosemite schools."
The bonding capacity of the districts that are not part of the unification
process, Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District and Raymond-Knowles
Elementary School District, would not be affected by the unification of
Coarsegold and Yosemite.
Those who have specific questions about the unification process can contact
Mr. McCabe at bmccabe@yosemiteuhsd.com.The complete feasibility study
on unification is posted on the Coarsegold district Web site, www.coarsegoldusd.com,
or the Yosemite district Web site, www.yosemiteuhsd.com.
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