The Calistoga Joint Unified School District just cut the ribbon on a sparkling $19 million new STEM building, funded by local school bonds totaling $83 million.
However, after voters approved over eight years ago, progress stalled. The Press Democrat reports millions in bond money sat unspent between 2016 and 2022, and the legally required citizens’ oversight committee wasn’t active during that period. Superintendent Audra Pittman is pushing forward, leveraging recent bond funds to complete major projects, including the new STEM lab and upcoming athletic field upgrades.
The key now is accountability. The district has restarted the oversight committee, but it’s currently missing the required number of members. Officials are working to fill those seats to restore taxpayer trust as the remaining $35 million gets spent.
