HJUHSD bond refinance saves taxpayers millions

Hanford Joint Union High School District has refinanced a portion of its outstanding general obligation bonds, which will save the District’s property owners more than $3.5 million in taxes.

The 2016 Refunding Bonds were approved by the Board of Trustees March 8 to refinance two prior bonds. The bonds were originally authorized by District voters in 2004 to construct, acquire and equip school facilities as well as construct Sierra Pacific High School.

“By refinancing these bonds, we were able to lower tax rates for our District residents," Superintendent William Fishbough said. "This is in addition to the taxpayer savings from our 2014 bond refunding.”

The interest rates on 2004 bonds ranged between 4 and 5 percent. The interest rates for the $23.495 million of refunding bonds, which sold on March 23, are between 0.40 and 3.24 percent. The difference in rates will save property owners $3,569,767.

“Interest rates are near all-time lows; we could not pass up the opportunity to lower bond payments even further," HJUHSD Board President John Webster said.

Instrumental to this savings was a strong A+ credit rating by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”). S&P cited as credit strengths, increasing property values in the District and very strong general fund balances. S&P also mentioned in their report that the District has established good management practices, with sound financial policies and well-grounded revenue and expenditure assumptions.

“District staff, faculty and the Board all work together to make sure our District is well-run. The strong credit rating helps us further lower our borrowing costs for this and future financings,” HJUHSD Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Silva said.

HJUHSD HOME

Volunteer Leaders needed for 2016 ethics workshops!

The Hanford Joint Union High School District is seeking local business leaders and other community volunteers to serve as Table Leaders for the annual HJUHSD Senior Ethics Workshops. More than 60 volunteers are needed for each day to help guide small groups of students through discussions of real-world values, ethics and decision-making.

April 19, 2016 - Hanford West

April 20, 2016 - Sierra Pacific and Earl F Johnson 

April 21, 2016 - Hanford High 

8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Lunch Provided) 

Koinonia Hall 12536 Hanford-Armona Road Hanford, CA 93230

Optional Table Leader Orientation Sessions

 7:30am or 5:30pm 

Wednesday, April 13, 2016 

 Come in and get a feel of what the day will entail.

To volunteer or if you have any questions, please contact: 

 Ruben Amavisca - Hanford West 

 Cindi Homburg - Hanford High 

 Brittney Watters - Sierra Pacific 

 Irma Montano - Earl F. Johnson

HJUHSD HOME

Limited space still available for Linked Learning Pathways at HHS, HWHS and SPHS

There are still limited spots available in all three HJUHSD Linked Learning Pathways! 

Pathways are open to all incoming 9th graders and eligible 10th graders. If you are interested in participating in an HJUHSD Linked Learning Pathway, act quickly: Once each Pathway is at capacity, enrollment will be closed. Apply today! For more information, please contact Bobby Peters at bpeters@hjuhsd.org.

HJUHSD HOME

COS Placement Testing

Seniors! College of the Sequoias will offer High School Placement Testing from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 28 and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 5 at the COS Hanford Center. Contact COS at 559.583.2500 or  hanford@cos.edu for details.

HJUHSD HOME

Health Update, Spring 2016

HJUHSD Health Insider
Spring, 2016

Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle

Take time for physical activity most days of the week 

• Find exercise that you enjoy. Walking for 10 minutes 3 times a day is just as effective as exercising for 30 minutes.
• Start a walking group on campus during lunch break. Invest in a pedometer. Studies show we need 12, 000 steps to help shift that “middle jiggle”. 

Eat nutritious foods 

• Take the time to eat fresh cooked meals instead of ready made meals. 
• Eating 5 portions of fruits and vegetables per day can add 14 years to your life. Eating just one extra portion a day could reduce your risk of dying early from any cause by 20 percent!
• Limit the “white” (white sugar, flour, bread) food in your diet to lose weight. 
• Stay hydrated. Women should drink about 2 liters and men about 3 liters of fluids per day.

Preventive Health Care

• See your doctor for routine physicals. People over 50 years old should have a colonoscopy. Women over 40 should talk to their doctor about mammograms for the early detection of breast cancer. After menopause, women should talk to their doctor about bone density scans for the prevention of osteoporosis. 
• Get your annual flu shot. People over 50 should get the vaccine to prevent shingles and people over 65 should get the pneumonia vaccine.
• Wear sunscreen and a hat when out in the sun, even on overcast days. Get your Vitamin D in a supplement if necessary.

Mental Health

Love, laughter, and hugs help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Try to GET and GIVE these every day to keep you emotionally healthy!

So how do I get that? 
Keep in mind that each one of us needs love and respect in order to have a healthy relationship. We need to show love and respect to others and vise versa we need others to love and respect us. The Bottom Line is -- 

EVERYONE NEEDS LOVE and RESPECT. NOBODY NEEDS ABUSE!


-----

Somjai Cochran, RN
District Nurse
559-583-5902 ext. 4038

All children should be in school, healthy, ready, and able to learn. School Nurses make it happen!

HJUHSD HOME