There is a “local” measure on the Nov. 5 statewide ballot.

It’s Proposition 2, the $10 billion bond measure for modernizing public school facilities.

Passage would likely mean at least $68 million to further improve Manteca Unified campuses.

That’s because Manteca Unified has a number of approved projects on a waiting list eligible for “reimbursement” from the $4 billion portion of the bond set aside for modernization.

That translates into just over 1.7 percent of every dollar set aside for modernization.

It could be higher as more local projects may be completed and approved for reimbursement.

The $68 million actually represents the state’s share of completed projects and endeavors underway to modernize facilities funded with two local bond measures.

They are the $159 million Measure G bonds voters approved in 2014 and the $260 million Measure A bonds voters approved in 2020.

Local bond receipts were used to cover the state’s share of eligible construction projects while waiting on the promise of being reimbursed.

As of June 20, the school district has received $22.7 million from the state toward Measure G work such as what was done at Golden West, Lincoln, Sequoia, and Lathrop elementary schools, to name a few.

The “reimbursement” is essential in order for the district to have funds to tackle the third and fourth phases of the modernization endeavors at the 104 year-old Manteca High campus and the 58 year-old East Union High campus, as well as work at the 16 year-old Lathrop High campus.

Manteca Unified has been methodical in first advancing bond projects that qualified for state matching fund to take advantage of the dwindling pool of available funds in Sacramento.

At the same time, doing so has put them in the queue for state funds when there is money available to cover additional projects such as most of the $68 million tied to projects that Sacramento has already approved for reimbursement.

Further reimbursement than what the district has already received is contingent on the state having the money to do so. Proposition 2 will help cover the tab.

Manteca Unified has other Measure A projects that may qualify for state funding yet to be approved by Sacramento.

The approach the district took means the combined $419 million between the two local bonds could in reality cover the cost of at least $509 million in facility upgrades when state funding is provided.

A districtwide assessment five years ago identified just over $550 million of modernization need in constant 2019 dollars.

As schools continue to age and construction inflation eats into funding, there will be a shortfall of tackling all the needs identified in the facility master plan.

That said, the district — when all is said and done — will have been able to tackle a vast majority of the facility modernization and upgrades they set out to tackle with the two bond measures.

They have stretched local bond dollars further by taking advantage of restricted funds to address some projects listed in the facilities master plan.

The biggest item is the replacement of aging HVAC systems that the state made a priority  and provided funds for — during the pandemic.

That money freed up bond money that would have gone toward HVAC replacement.

Given there are more than 1,600 classrooms in addition to support facilities districtwide, the HVAC work represents a substantial cost savings in bond expenditures.

It should be noted state school bonds are secured by the state’s general fund and not property tax as in the case of local school bonds.

Proposition 2 also includes $3.3 billion for new construction.

The bulk of that is likely to go to build new facilities for state mandate transitional kindergarten classes.

Manteca Unified is pursuing an early education campus on Tinnin Road for kindergarten and transitional kindergarten that would be eligible for funding from that portion of Proposition 2.

Proposition 2 also includes $115 million for lead in water testing and remediation, $600 million for career technical education, and $600 million for charter schools.

The district, which received state funding for the CTE complex recently built at East Union, is also seeking funding for a new CTE facility at Manteca High.

As such, that part of the bond could relieve local property taxpayers of costs connected with building a CTE complex at Manteca High.

California’s public schools serve more than 6 million students at 10,000-plus schools in more than 300,000 classrooms —  70% of which are more than 25 years old.

Schools statewide are projected to need about $117 billion for facilities. About 69% of that amount is needed for school maintenance and modernization — updating science labs and adding computers, for example — while only 10% is needed to keep pace with enrollment or address overcrowding.

Opponents point out correctly that the $10 billion bond, when paid off over 35 years, will end up costing taxpayers $18 billion.

But that nugget of truth is detached from the rest of the puzzle.

The $4 billion set aside for modernization is designed to protect at least $30 billion in existing taxpayer invested in school facilities.

The $35 billion plus represents the replacement value of aging schools buildings and infrastructure if they are allowed to deteriorate to the point they need to be torn down and replaced.

The bottom line is the $10 billion bond is a cost saving measure.

Proposition 2, thanks to the strategic positioning of Manteca Unified to maximize local tax dollars, the bond measure marks a rare occasion where interior California schools doesn’t get the short end of the proverbial stick, thanks to the 900-pound gorilla in the state — the Los Angeles Unified School District.

And the $68 million plus in reimbursement means less money will need to come from taxing local property owners through future bond measures to cover the costs of future modernization and aging of school buildings.

Keep in mind that 2019 “need” of $550 million identified by the school district.

Just like a home, as schools age they eventually need major upgrades beyond routine maintenance.

Passage of Proposition 2 will reduce the need to rely on local property owners for a chunk of upcoming modernization costs.

State funding to assist with local school modernization is not a given.

Just like major home renovations long-term loans are needed to pay for the work, so is the case for schools.

The $10 billion does represent an $18 billion cost by the time the bonds are retired.

A 30-year home mortgage of $600,000 at 6.95 percent ends up costing $1,429,560.

That’s more than double the principal.

The state bond, although for five years longer, is at a lower interest rates.

Vote against Proposition 2, if you will, but if it fails it ultimately will shift more cost on Manteca, Lathrop, and Weston Ranch property owners.

 This column is the opinion of editor, Dennis Wyatt, and does not necessarily represent the opinions of The Bulletin or 209 Multimedia. He can be reached at dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com