Message from the Superintendent
October 21, 2020
- Measure S Update
- Virtual Grand Opening of Fred Kelly Stadium
- Don’t forget to vote! (November 3 is a non-student day.)
Dear OUSD Community,
We are happy to have successfully welcomed all grade levels back onto our campuses, with the health and safety of our students and staff at the forefront of our efforts. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our teachers and staff for their exemplary and tireless work to help our district not merely endure this moment but emerge from it stronger and better prepared to continue to advance our academic mission.
Measure S Update
The STEM Complex at Orange High School is nearing completion, and we expect to welcome students into the facility next month. It is exciting to see Phase One of Measure S construction come to fruition at Orange High, and we look forward to hosting a VIP Preview Tour at the end of the month, followed by an official ribbon-cutting in mid-November. The latest monthly report of all Measure S projects is available on our website.
At the last Board of Education Meeting, Assistant Superintendent David Rivera shared that residents in OUSD's boundaries were taxed only $16.64 per $100,000 of the assessed property value on their 2020-2021 property taxes, a 42% reduction from the original Measure S estimate of $29 per $100,000 of the assessed property value. According to District records, this equals $18 million in total taxpayer savings since 2017-18 due to prudent financial planning and increased overall property values.
In June 2018, Orange Unified School District completed the sale of $188 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund Phase One of Measure S. Prior to the pricing of the GO Bonds, District staff sought credit ratings from both Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's (S&P) Global Ratings. Fitch assigned its highest rating of "AAA" and S&P assigned "AA," its second-highest possible rating. The GO Bonds were sold through a competitive bid process involving seven firms, with RBC Capital Markets submitting the winning bid. The bond sale timing, combined with OUSD's favorable credit rating, resulted in additional taxpayer savings of $4.7 million. A second bond sale, in the amount of $100 million, will occur at a later date.
Virtual Grand Opening of Fred Kelly Stadium
This is an exciting week as we also gear up for the virtual grand opening of Fred Kelly Stadium. Keep an eye on our Facebook and YouTube channels, which will premiere the event at 7:30 PM on Thursday, October 22.
Don’t forget to vote!
Election season has begun, and Orange Unified will once again host a Vote Center. The hours of operation will be Friday, October 30, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM through November 2, and 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM on November 3 in the back parking lot portable. We will also have a drive-thru ballot drop-off box in the back parking lot. More information and signage will be available as we get closer to the event. As a reminder, Tuesday, November 3 (Election Day) is a non-student day.
Voting is an integral part of civic engagement. We are pleased to announce that Canyon High School senior Carter Audet Marrero's one-minute public service announcement (PSA) encouraging young people to vote recently won first place in this year's California's Directing Change contest. Check out his award-winning entry below!
Despite the challenges we face as we continue to adapt to the new environment of teaching and learning, our ability to progress with efforts to improve our programs and facilities is a testament to the resilience, sacrifice, and dedication of our staff, students, and community. I appreciate you all.
Warmest Regards,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
COVID-19 VACCINE CONFIDENCE SURVEY
The County of Orange Health Care Agency has asked for our help in conducting a survey of attitudes toward vaccination for COVID-19, which will be of great assistance to them in planning for distribution of the vaccine when it becomes available. We want them to listen to your opinion, and we’re asking you to take less than five minutes to fill out a simple questionnaire concerning how you feel about being vaccinated against COVID-19.
The survey is not being conducted by the District, and responses are voluntary, anonymous, and confidential. OUSD will not maintain the information. You do not need to give your name or any other identifying information. If you receive this request more than once, please only complete the survey once.
Thank you for performing this valuable service to your community and your fellow citizens.
Technology Support
Those in need of a device or device exchange can do so between the hours of 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, at the back of the District Office (Building J) at 1401 N. Handy Street, Orange, CA 92867. Please park in the back parking lot for easy access. Tech support is also available between 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, at (714) 628-5372 or by emailing techsupport@orangeusd.org. The Technology Services team looks forward to assisting you.
Connect with Us
Email: communications@orangeusd.org
Website: www.orangeusd.org
Location: 1401 North Handy Street, Orange, CA, USA
Phone: 714-628-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeUnifiedSchoolDistrictCA
Twitter: @orangeunifiedCA
We invite you to take a moment to follow Orange Unified on social media to receive the District’s latest news and announcements. Social media may also be a critical line of communication during emergencies and will be an excellent place for you to get up to date information: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube