Measure M Bond
Measure M Bond
Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) is grateful to the residents of Lompoc for voting Yes on Measure M, supporting a $160 million dollar general obligation bond, in the November 2024 election. With 59.66% voter approval, LUSD will address much-needed updates to the District’s 16 school facilities, constructed over 60 years ago and updated 20 years ago. Measure M brings support to address the District’s most pressing facility needs outlined in the District’s Master Facilities Plan (2023-2028), totaling $439 million dollars of needs.
LUSD district leaders conducted a staff-wide survey of over 1,000 employees to reassess the highest priority facility needs, based on areas identified in the 2023-2028 Facilities Master Study/Plan and professional polling that reached over 700 community members in 2023 and 2024. The 408 staff who completed the survey from all school sites, the Adult School, and the Education Center, identified a set of priorities focused on safety. They include, in order of priority:
- Asbestos ceiling tile replacement or encapsulation
- Asbestos floor tile replacement or encapsulation
- Roofing replacement or repair
- Window replacement
- Intercom replacement
- Gas or water infrastructure replacement or repair
- Classroom furniture replacement
The Measure M bond issuance schedule is:
- Series A (Now) - $30,000,000
- Series B (2028) - $30,000,000
- Series C (2031) - $30,000,000
- Series D (2034) - $30,000,000
- Series E (2037) - $40,000,000
On April 9, 2025, LUSD entered into the financial markets to issue and sell $30 million of 2024 Measure M Series A General Obligation Bonds. This bond issuance was the inaugural draw under Measure M, which was approved by the community on November 5, 2024. Even during the current challenged interest rate environment, the district’s bond issuance was well planned and thoughtfully executed. All $30 million were successfully sold to a group of fourteen bond investors without delays at a competitive interest rate of 5.227% which was lower than the district’s March 4, 2025 projection. That lower interest rate was primarily driven by the district securing a bond credit rating upgrade from Aa3 to Aa2 on March 19, 2025.
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Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) is grateful to the residents of Lompoc for voting Yes on Measure M, supporting a $160 million dollar general obligation bond, in the November 2024 election. With 59.66% voter approval, LUSD will address much-needed updates to the District’s 16 school facilities, constructed over 60 years ago and updated 20 years ago. Measure M brings support to address the District’s most pressing facility needs outlined in the District’s Master Facilities Plan (2023-2028), totaling $439 million dollars of needs.
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LUSD district leaders conducted a staff-wide survey of over 1,000 employees to reassess the highest priority facility needs, based on areas identified in the 2023-2028 Facilities Master Study/Plan and professional polling that reached over 700 community members in 2023 and 2024. The 408 staff who completed the survey from all school sites, the Adult School, and the Education Center, identified a set of priorities focused on safety. They include, in order of priority:
- Asbestos ceiling tile replacement or encapsulation
- Asbestos floor tile replacement or encapsulation
- Roofing replacement or repair
- Window replacement
- Intercom replacement
- Gas or water infrastructure replacement or repair
- Classroom furniture replacement
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The Measure M bond issuance schedule is:
- Series A (Now) - $30,000,000
- Series B (2028) - $30,000,000
- Series C (2031) - $30,000,000
- Series D (2034) - $30,000,000
- Series E (2037) - $40,000,000
On April 9, 2025, LUSD entered into the financial markets to issue and sell $30 million of 2024 Measure M Series A General Obligation Bonds. This bond issuance was the inaugural draw under Measure M, which was approved by the community on November 5, 2024. Even during the current challenged interest rate environment, the district’s bond issuance was well planned and thoughtfully executed. All $30 million were successfully sold to a group of fourteen bond investors without delays at a competitive interest rate of 5.227% which was lower than the district’s March 4, 2025 projection. That lower interest rate was primarily driven by the district securing a bond credit rating upgrade from Aa3 to Aa2 on March 19, 2025.
- Cabrillo Band Room
- Los Berros Roof
- LVMS Flooring
Series A Projects
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To address aging asbestos-containing floor tile and improve classroom environments, the District is installing Hybrid Vinyl Tile (HVT) flooring at Lompoc and Cabrillo High Schools, Lompoc Valley Middle School, and Vandenberg Middle School. The new flooring encapsulates the existing asbestos tile, eliminating exposure risk while providing a durable, long-lasting surface well-suited for classroom use. Classrooms at Cabrillo High, Lompoc Valley Middle, and Vandenberg Middle were completed in 2025. Classrooms at Lompoc High School are approximately 95% complete as of February 2026, with final completion nearing.
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To improve instructional quality and reduce sound transmission, music rooms at Lompoc and Cabrillo High Schools underwent noise-reduction renovations. Improvements included new flooring and installation of tackboard wall systems designed to absorb sound and enhance acoustics. This project was completed in July 2025.
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This project is anticipated to be placed on the March 2026 Board agenda. It focuses on replacing aging classroom ceiling tiles and encapsulating asbestos-containing mastic used in earlier construction, improving indoor air quality, safety, and overall classroom appearance. Campuses included in the planned June–July 2026 work are Hapgood, Ruth, La Cañada, Buena Vista, Lompoc Valley Middle School, Vandenberg Middle School, Lompoc High School, and the Lompoc Adult School & Career Center.
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To enhance staff, student, and campus safety, the District is implementing or expanding exterior surveillance camera systems in multiple phases:
- Phase 1 (Approved October 2025): Initial installations at Miguelito, Fillmore, Buena Vista, and Crestview, with completion expected by June 2026.
- Phase 2 (Approved December 2025): Expansion projects at Cabrillo High School, Lompoc High School, Vandenberg Middle School, and Lompoc Valley Middle School, with completion expected by June 2026.
- Phase 3 (Pending February 2026 Board approval): Expansion projects at La Cañada, Los Berros, La Honda, Hapgood, and Ruth, with completion anticipated by June 2026.
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As part of ongoing safety and communication improvements, and pending Board approval, Vandenberg Middle School will receive a modern Internet Protocol (IP) public address and intercom system between June and July 2026. This upgrade will replace outdated equipment, improving system reliability and audio clarity.
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This infrastructure project addresses remaining legacy gas and water systems that have not been previously restored. Pending Board approval, work at La Cañada and Ruth is planned for June–July 2026 and will improve system reliability, safety, and long-term maintainability.
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Roofing projects are extending the useful life of District facilities while addressing asbestos-containing materials where present.
- Completed in 2025: Portions of Cabrillo High School, Lompoc Valley Middle School, Hapgood, Fillmore, Ruth, Los Berros, and the Lompoc Adult School & Career Center.
- Planned for June–July 2026: Restorative work at portions of Cabrillo High School, Lompoc High School, the Lompoc Adult School & Career Center, Vandenberg Middle School, Lompoc Valley Middle School, and Hapgood. Also, pending Board approval, additional restoration and replacement work is planned at portions of Hapgood, La Cañada, Vandenberg Middle School, and Buena Vista.
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The District awarded the stadium lighting project to Musco Lighting at the August 2025 Board meeting, with Smith MEP serving as the local subcontractor. The project includes replacing all six lighting standards with galvanized steel poles, installing new precast concrete foundations, and installing 66 factory-aimed LED luminaires. This upgrade significantly improves lighting quality, safety, efficiency, and reliability. The project is anticipated to be completed in February 2026.
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Pending Board approval, a pilot storefront window system will be installed in Classroom P3 at Cabrillo High School between June and July 2026. The pilot will evaluate design performance, constructability, and scheduling, with lessons learned informing a future campus-wide window replacement program anticipated to be implemented in multiple phases over several years.
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Pending Board approval, this June–July 2026 project will replace aging windows and abate lead-containing materials surrounding window assemblies at Ruth Elementary School, improving safety, energy efficiency, and classroom comfort. The project is currently out to public bid, with a recommendation anticipated for the March 2026 Board agenda.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Each day, approximately 9,000 local students rely on Lompoc Unified School District for a quality education that prepares them for college and good jobs. LUSD’s 15 schools serve the Lompoc Valley, including the City of Lompoc and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Mission Hills, Vandenberg Village, Cebada Canyon, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and Mesa Oaks. These include 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 comprehensive high schools, an alternative education high school, and one site that includes an adult school career center, a community day school, and an independent study school.
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Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) has made consistent efforts to enhance its high school graduation rate, leading to substantial growth over time. LUSD has received accolades for its innovative programs, fostering strong community partnerships, and prioritizing a positive and nurturing school environment. LUSD remains steadfast in its mission to deliver high-quality education that equips students for college, good jobs and prosperous futures. What is the condition of Lompoc USD school facilities? Most Lompoc schools were built in the 1960s or earlier, are over 60 years old. Most classrooms, labs and school facilities have not been upgraded in over 20 years. For example, thousands of students attend class in 136 portable classrooms that are decades old, are falling apart and most have structural damage or water leaks. It is expensive to keep repairing these aging and outdated portables and they need to be replaced with permanent classrooms. Older schools have hazardous materials like asbestos and lead that need to be removed for student health and safety. Most schools do not meet current health codes, building safety codes or provide full access for students with disabilities.
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Yes, LUSD partnered with school facilities architects and engineers to develop a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan that identified the conditions and needs at every school campus in the district. The LUSD Master Plan includes detailed plans and cost estimates for completing needed repairs and upgrades at all schools. How is LUSD planning to upgrade aging school facilities? To ensure all local schools have safe and modern classrooms, labs and school facilities, the LUSD Board of Education has placed Measure M, a school facilities improvement bond measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot for local voters to consider. Funds from Measure M must only be used for repairing and upgrading LUSD schools. No funds may be used for administrator salaries and no funds may be taken by the State.
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To ensure all local schools have safe and modern classrooms, labs and school facilities, the LUSD Board of Education voted to place Measure M, a $160 million school facilities improvement bond measure, on the ballot that would cost the typical homeowner approximately $138 per year.
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Yes, locally controlled funding from Measure M would be used to repair or replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, sewer lines, gas lines, and electrical systems. It would also fund the removal of hazardous materials like asbestos and lead in older school sites. Funds could also be used to upgrade older schools, so they meet current health codes, building safety codes and provide full access for students with disabilities.
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Yes, locally controlled funding from Measure M would be used to provide modern classrooms, labs, career training facilities technology and equipment to support high quality instruction in math, science, engineering, and technology. This will help ensure LUSD graduates are prepared for college and in-demand careers in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades.
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Yes, local funding from Measure M would be used to upgrade older schools to meet current health codes, building safety codes, earthquake safety standards, and improve access for students with disabilities. It would also improve student safety and campus security systems including security fencing, security cameras, intruder-protection systems, emergency communications systems, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers.
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Measure M would require a clear system of fiscal accountability including a detailed project list indicating the only projects that may be funded by the measure, a Citizens’ Oversight Committee, containing no employees, board members, vendors, contractors, or consultants of the district, and annual independent financial and performance audits.
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No. All funds must stay local and may only be used to upgrade classrooms and school facilities in LUSD. No funds may be taken away by the State or diverted to other school districts.
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Voters in LUSD have approved one school facilities bond since the schools were constructed in the 50s and 60s, Measure N 2002, over 20 years ago. Those funds were used as promised to complete upgrades and improvements to local schools. Read the Final Report from the 2002 Measure N Citizens Oversight Committee. However, many urgent repairs and upgrades are still needed. Classrooms and other facilities that were upgraded more than two decades ago have been used continuously by thousands of students since then and need additional repairs.
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By state law, no exemptions may be provided for bond measures. However, the total cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of a home, not the market value. The longer a home has been owned, the lower the assessed value because it is based on the original purchase price. Typically, older homeowners who have owned their homes the longest pay the least for bond measure.
