La Verne City Council Backs $256M Bonita Unified School Bond
The council voted unanimously to endorse Measure A, which La Verne voters will decide June 2.
Updated: 9:19 a.m. April 16 to correct the spelling of Cynthia Tiner's last name.
The La Verne City Council voted April 6 to adopt a resolution supporting Bonita Unified School District's $256 million school bond measure, lending the City's formal endorsement to a question La Verne and San Dimas voters will decide at the polls June 2.
The council's action carries no legal weight over the ballot measure—it does not change how Measure A works or what appears on the ballot. But with election day less than two months away, council members used the vote to signal their support and make the case to residents.
If approved, Measure A would fund a range of upgrades across the district’s 13 campuses, many of which are decades old. Projects include removing hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead paint, modernizing science labs and career-training classrooms, improving school security and fire safety systems, and repairing aging infrastructure like roofs, sewer lines and electrical systems.
District officials have pointed to the age of the facilities as a driving factor. Most campuses are more than 55 years old, with some dating back 80 to 125 years. During the first week of school last fall, 11 of the district’s 13 air conditioning systems failed, leaving students in classrooms where temperatures climbed into the 80s and 90s.
"It is vital for our community to understand these facility needs and to understand the link between addressing these needs and continuing to build on the strengths of the Bonita Unified School District and the cities of La Verne and San Dimas," Superintendent Matt Wien said in a statement.
The measure would cost property owners $59 per $100,000 of assessed value each year for as long as the bonds are outstanding.
🔗 Bonita Unified School District Potential Bond Measure FAQ
As council members explained their votes, several tied the condition of local schools to the broader health of the community.
Council member Rick Crosby connected the district’s reputation to La Verne’s appeal as a place to live. "People want to come in and live in our community and be part of our community because of Bonita Unified," he said.
Council member Steve Johnson framed the need for investment as part of a natural cycle. "It's just a part of life in that we build these beautiful buildings, age takes its toll, and repairs need to be made," he said.
Council member Wendy Lau acknowledged that not every resident has children in the district, but said the benefits extend beyond individual families. "I think it's necessary to provide the environment in which they can learn and achieve and become good contributing citizens to our community," Lau said.
"Whatever we can do to support our future, I will always be there to support our future," Mayor Pro Tem Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita said.
Mayor Tim Hepburn noted that BUSD, like the City, is operating under significant financial constraints, but said he believes the investment is worthwhile.
"At the end of the day, I do support this. I think it's the right thing to do. And I think that it's going to improve our schools and make it better for our kids, and also, our values of our homes are going to continue to go up," he said.
Residents Weigh In
Public comment reflected a community still weighing the trade-offs.
Rick Bowen, a La Verne resident, said he already pays about $1,300 annually in additional assessments and estimated Measure A would add roughly $327 more per year for him.
"I appreciate the fact that schools are great. I love the schools. Love the kids," he said. "But my question is, just like I questioned when we did the water survey, what have they been doing with the money they have?" Bowen said he was opposed to the measure and would prefer the council wait before endorsing it.
Cynthia Tiner, whose children no longer attend district schools, said she supports students but not what she described as financial mismanagement.
"I'm really tired of being asked over and over again for more money for something that we've already been asked to pay," she said. "I don't support the adults that are mismanaging this money."
Not everyone who spoke saw the tax burden falling on homeowners alone.
"A lot of people are saying that it's the homeowners that are going to be taxed and not the renters. And that's misjudging that completely, because our landlords are gonna raise our rent. They're not just gonna eat that cost," Kathy Newland said.
Geoff Grund, a La Verne resident and parent of two district students, said the decision comes down to investing in children—even if it means a long-term financial commitment.
"I'm gonna be paying the bond for thirty years, and I'm happy to invest in the kids and to invest in the future," Grund said. "I think if you look around the room and take a hard look, I think we're all willing, even when times are tough, to dig in and say, 'You know what? Supporting the kids is one of the things at the top of priority.'"
Chantal Stieber, also of La Verne, echoed that sentiment. "Education costs money, buildings cost money, and these kids are our future," she said.
Theodore Lengel, a La Verne resident who said he intends to vote yes on the measure, encouraged the council to consider the full financial picture.
"I'm certainly not in opposition to it. I support our schools," Lengel said. "But for future use, you ought to consider getting away from the quick and easy fix of bonds and go to some of the other alternatives that are available."
Note: I was unable to independently verify the spelling of Kathy Newland's last name before publication.
Disclosure: The editor has children who attend schools in the Bonita Unified School District.
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Staci Baird
Staci Baird
Staci Baird
