Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District’s Board of Trustees approved the release of some funds from two ballot bond measures last Monday.

A combined $24 million will come from Measure S and Measure T, which will be used to help with facilities improvements across the district. According to 2024 Stanislaus County election results, both ballot measures were overwhelmingly supported by voters, with more than 67% approving the measures.

Caralyn Mendoza, former assistant superintendent and chief business official for the district, asked the board about which specific projects will be funded by the bonds during public comment. She added that “$24 million dollars is a lot of money.”

District Superintendent Justin Pruett told the Connect that the funding will be used towards the projects that were discussed during a board facilities workshop in February. Eight projects were discussed amongst board members during the workshop. Out of the eight projects, two were approved in March: Bonita Elementary School LED Lighting Upgrade and a SOD Stadium Project at Orestimba High School.

Bonita Elementary’s project revolves around the district-wide initiative of installing LED lights to its buildings with the hope of increasing energy efficiency at the site. Orestimba’s project focused on the demolition and installation of a new sod field. 

Both projects were supported by the district’s remaining Measure X funding. The bond measure, which gave NCLUSD $25 million in bonds, was supported by nearly 60% of voters during the 2020 election.

The other six projects that have yet to be decided on are: Phase two of the Von Renner Elementary School Project, a facility for Yolo Middle School Career Technical Education course, TK-5 Shade Structure, an all-weather track at Orestimba, renovations to Orestimba’s wrestling facility and stadium bathrooms and the high school’s shop.

During the February workshop, Von Renner’s project was voted as the biggest priority amongst board members. However due to the uncertainty of the project’s cost, discussion shifted to use the remaining Measure X funding of $287,908.18 for the Bonita’s and Orestimba’s projects.  

“With what’s getting released, we still have plenty of projects to get started with,” Pruett said.

Both bond measures are expected to bring a combined $57 million in bonds. However, the district will receive $12 million from each bond at the moment. Pruett said the amount was as much as the district can take based on the taxes applied to Newman residents.