After a long season of campaigning, residents rejected a $79 million bond, proposed by the Lompoc Unified School District.
The district needed a super majority vote of 55 percent for the measure to pass, but only 51 percent voted for the measure.
The bond was intended for school improvements and safety repairs, district officials say. Some primary concerns included failing infrastructure, ADA accessibility for bathrooms and classrooms, and the need for updated classroom technology.
"Those needs will not be met by our annual budget. We don’t have that kind of money. Our whole entire annual budget wouldn’t meet those needs, everything, every Penny we have wouldn’t meet those needs and 80 percent of that money goes to paying our people…salary and benefits," said Dr. John Karbula, with the Lompoc Unified School District.
School officials now say they’ll have to do a better job of prioritizing funds.
"We have to very clearly identify what is the most critical need what absolutely has to get done and we’re allocating scarce funds," Dr. Karbula said.
It’s being discussed whether or not the school district will place another bond measure on the November ballot.
