DISTRICTS EXPECT BOOST FROM PROP. 55 MILLIONS MAY FLOW INTO SCV SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS.

Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Local school districts expect a windfall of more than $180 million with the narrow passage Tuesday of Proposition 55, the $12.5 billion statewide school construction bond measure.

Californians approved the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2004 with just 50.6 percent of the vote - barely a majority. But it was enough to authorize the bond sale to create a state matching fund for classroom renovation and new school construction.

``It's probably the closest margin of any of the school bonds in the last couple of years,'' said Robert Nolet, superintendent of the Sulphur Springs School District in Canyon Country. ``But in this case, close counts.''

The building bond's approval comes after passage of a similar $13 billion bond measure just over 16 months ago. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Office, Proposition 55 could cost California up to $12.4 billion, assuming the bonds are sold at an interest rate of 5.25 percent and repaid over 30 years.

The William S. Hart Union High School District would be entitled to about $123 million for a slew of renovations and new buildings, including the Arroyo Seco Junior High expansion and a proposed high school campus in Castaic. The funds would be released with match money from the district's $158 million bond voters approved in 2001 and payments from local developers.

``The Santa Clarita Valley really has a major stake in Proposition 55,'' district spokeswoman Pat Willett said. ``This will take us into the future.''

The bond's passage also would release about $28 million for the Sulphur Springs district to expand Mint Canyon Community School and build new campuses in the Golden Valley and Spring Canyon neighborhoods.

Nolet said the money is much needed given the district's ``financial hardship'' status, which exempts it from the bond's matching requirement. Unlike neighboring districts, Sulphur Springs has no local bond money and little developers' dollars.

``It certainly is very important in our ongoing effort to meet facilities needs,'' Nolet said. ``If this didn't pass, it would be a major step backward.''

The Castaic Union School District could be entitled to an estimated $30 million, which could fund schools proposed in the Northlake and Newhall Ranch developments, said Bill McDermott, assistant superintendent of business.

``It's very tough to determine how much money is going to be out there,'' he said. ``It really depends upon the value of the property in the future and the cost to construct.''

``But there isn't as long a line as there was with the last bond,'' McDermott said. ``We could get at least two schools or even a third right now, depending on the growth patterns.''

Saugus Union School District officials believe that the bond could bring $35 million to several projects, including new elementary campuses in the Monteverde and West Creek developments, and renovation at Highland and Emblem schools.

``It's always hard to tell what we can get from it,'' said Robert Cutting, assistant superintendent of business. ``It all depends how developments progressed.''

The Newhall School District has no current projects that would benefit from the bond, but several campuses proposed in Newhall Ranch could tap into the funds, Superintendent Marc Winger said.

``That's an undefined amount at this point,'' he said.

College of the Canyons also is entitled to a small windfall from the bond for planned expansions to its gym and science laboratory, spokesman John McElwain said.

Eugene Tong, [phone]

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

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(color) Construction on new classroom buildings at Arroyo Seco Junior High in Santa Clarita, shown here in January, would be funded under Tuesday's passage of Proposition 55.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer