A broad coalition of Alameda’s most respected leaders and organizations have come together to support Measure B to upgrade all local schools to support quality education.

The League of Women Voters of Alameda and the Alameda Chamber and Economic Alliance both recommend a YES vote. Elected leaders like Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Senator Nancy Skinner, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Vice Mayor Malia Vela, Councilmember Tony Daysog and Councilmember John Knox White all support Measure B. Local education leaders including Alameda’s teachers, school employees, principals, every PTA and the entire School Board all say vote YES.

Good schools are a part of what makes Alameda a great place to live, whether or not you have school-aged children. Some of Alameda’s high-performing schools have received upgrades in recent years, but most have not. Further repairs are needed to ensure every student has equal access to quality educational facilities.

Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) has partnered with school facilities experts to evaluate the condition of aging school facilities and develop detailed plans to bring each school up to current seismic, health, safety and instructional standards.

The first phase of improvements were funded by Measure I, which was overwhelmingly approved by 63% of local voters in 2014. These projects are being completed on time and on budget and include the restoration and renovation of historic Alameda High School, significant improvements to Encinal Junior and Senior High School, modernized science labs and classrooms at many schools and new classroom buildings.

Measure B is on the ballot to finish the job so that each child has equal access to safe and modern classrooms and facilities.

Measure B will complete basic repairs needed to keep schools safe and functioning — like fixing broken doors and windows, updating electrical, ventilation and fire safety systems and making classrooms earthquake safe and accessible for students with disabilities — so that students can focus on lessons in the classroom.

Measure B will also fund critical updates to classrooms, instructional technology and science labs to prepare students to compete at top colleges and in today’s competitive global economy, for careers in computer science, medicine and biotech.

And because every penny of Measure B must be spent in Alameda schools and classrooms, it’s a wise investment in the future of our schools and community.

Strict fiscal accountability requirements ensure all funds are spent properly. A detailed and legally binding project list restricts the use of all funds to local classroom and school improvements only. Independent audits and a Citizens’ Oversight Committee are required. No funds may be used for administrator salaries.

If you have questions or want more detailed information, please visit www.BetterAlamedaSchools.com.

Please join Alameda’s most respected organizations and leaders and vote YES on B by June 7th.