St. Helena Unified School District officials are considering asking Upvalley voters next year to extend a 25-year school facilities bond passed in 1997, possibly until 2045.

The move would extend a property tax assessment and could raise an estimated $59 million for St. Helena schools, officials said.

Earlier this month, trustees gave Caldwell Flores Winters, a consulting firm, the go-ahead to put together a more detailed plan for how the bond extension would work. The structure of the deal hasn’t been worked out, but under a preliminary proposal, property owners would continue to pay the current rate of $25.50 per $100,000 of assessed property value until 2045.

When the 1997 bond measure was approved, the maximum tax rate promised to voters was $71.60 per $100,000 of assessed value. The deal was refinanced in 2005, andthe tax now stands at $25.50. The existing bonds are projected to be fully repaid in 2019.

The proposal the school board reviewed last week would extend the current tax rate for another 26 years.

That proposal is based on four bond issuances. The amount generated and the longevity of the tax could change depending on how the district structures the bond.

If the district decides to pursue the bond extension, the issue could come before voters in June or November 2010. It would require approval from           55 percent of voters.

District officials would prepare a detailed list of projects the money would be used for, and the revenue could not be used for any other purpose. The district would have to create a citizen’s oversight committee to review how the money is spent.

In 1997, after two unsuccessful proposals in 1994, an $18.8 million bond, called Measure A, was approved by almost 74 percent of voters. It has financed numerous school repairs and improvements, including the construction of the St. Helena Primary School and the gym at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School.

Now the district’s Master Facilities Committee has come up with a list of $51 million worth of projects the district would like to finance — an all-inclusive wish list that can be whittled down and refined if the district pursues the bond extension.

Among the big-ticket items are various modernization projects at the middle school, a revamped pool and an auditorium at St. Helena High School, solar panels and the movement of district offices to the third floor of Vintage Hall, which would make the second floor available for student use.

Kevin Twohey, who serves on the Master Facilities Committee, said there’s a strong feeling on the committee that “it’s time to do a long-term plan for facilities,” and a bond extension may be the only option.

“Grants have dried up, and we believe they’re going to be dried up for awhile,” said Twohey. “Also, this gives the voters a chance to be involved.”

Some of the costs of the facilities projects could be offset by donations from private citizens, said Trustee Cindy Warren.

Trustees agreed the district should investigate extending the bonds. “It’s important that we continue to at least see if this is possible,” said Board President Ines DeLuna.

But Trustee Cynthia Lane already has her doubts about asking voters to make a 26-year commitment.

“As a citizen in St. Helena, I find that a lot to ask,” said Lane. “As a board member and someone trying to promote the schools, it sounds great.”

The school board approved a contract with Caldwell Flores Winters for $50,000 in planning and consulting fees and $90,000 for each bond sale.

Those costs are contingent upon the ballot measure passing and the bonds being issued. If the measure fails or the bonds are never sold, the district pays nothing.

According to Superintendent Robert Haley, anonymous donors might pick up the tab for the consultant and the voter information survey, which will cost an additional $15,000.

That survey would poll 350 to 400 voters on “local awareness and support for the district, support for the proposed capital projects, the voters’ tax tolerances, and reaction to potential ballot language,” said Greg Kato of Caldwell Flores Winters.

In Napa, Napa Valley Unified School District officials are considering a public survey to see if voters might support a parcel tax increase to help overcome shortages in school funding. The NVUSD covers the cities of Napa, American Canyon and Yountville.