On Election Day, Albuquerque voters turned out to support the general obligation (GO) bond that will finance an array of necessary construction projects in Albuquerque Public Schools.
Voters within the APS boundaries passed the bond with support from 75% of voters.
As it’s now approved by voters, the GO Bond will generate $350 million for a host of projects.
Those include converting 20 schools from evaporative coolers to refrigerated air and construction projects at 13 schools. The funding will also pay for a new career technical educational student training facility, a Taylor Middle School classroom block and a West Side student special needs education facility.
The proposed $350 million bond package will also continue investment in school security upgrades.
All new construction at APS includes state-of-the-art technologies as an addition to the district’s layered approach to school safety and security. That includes:
- Main entry security vestibules with audio and video connection to the front desk, as well as remote buzz-in/out for all visitors to schools
- Security-card access to major school exterior doors
- Audio enhancement, which gives emergency dispatchers the ability to listen in on what’s happening in a particular classroom in the event of a critical incident
- Commercial heavy-duty locks on every classroom door
- Security cameras
- Intrusion and fire alarms
All the above are monitored and controlled 24/7 in real-time by a state-of-the-art school police/security command center that has the ability to stream real-time emergency footage to law enforcement agencies.
- Strategically located emergency and crisis evacuation maps at multiple locations at all facilities
In recent years, APS has invested more than $60 million on safety measures at schools, including cameras, alarms, door locks and fencing. That number will grow with the bond approved in the Nov. 4 general election.
Approval of the bond does NOT increase taxes. The Chamber has shown its support for the GO bond, as it will help APS move forward with securing the environment for learning.