NOVEMBER 2024 VOTER GUIDE
YES ON PROP 2
Public Education Facilities Bond Measure
ENDORSE-O-METER SAYS: STRONG YES
Proposition 2 is a bond measure that would allow the state to borrow $10 billion to help fund repairs and upgrades at thousands of public elementary, middle and high schools, and community colleges across California. Given that statewide bond funding for school repairs and modernization is entirely depleted and we know kids learn better in higher-resource environments, we’re voting yes.
The Context
The last time California passed a bond for schools was 2016, and those funds are set to dry up by January 2025. That means it’s time to pass a new one—in fact, it was time to pass a new one in March 2020, but the $15 billion proposal put before voters failed, garnering only 47 percent of the vote. This time around, after months of closed-door debates, the governor and legislators have lowered the price tag.
Here’s hoping voters will be in more of a spending mood in November. There’s a long list of districts hoping the new bond will pass and fund their projects, which have already been approved but can’t move forward. These projects include repairs for hazardous mold, leaky roofs, and septic systems, as well as building classrooms and modernizing science labs.
The Money
Proposition 2 would provide $8.5 billion in facility renovations and new construction for TK-12 schools, with 10 percent of the funds dedicated to small school districts. Community colleges would receive $1.5 billion. This measure is not projected to increase taxes.
Additional Details
To receive bond money, districts must raise a local bond of their own and then apply to the State Facilities Program for a funding match on a sliding scale up to 65 percent for renovations and 55 percent for new construction. This allows them to receive 5 percent more than previous bonds.
The exact state match is based on a complicated points formula that seeks to provide a higher match to low-wealth districts that cannot afford to generate much local funding, and those with a high percentage of disadvantaged schools. Districts that are unable to raise more than $15 million can receive up to a 100 percent match.
Support & Opposition
The school bond is supported by dozens of school districts including Los Angeles Unified, the Association of California School Administrators, the California School Boards Association, and construction associations, including the powerful Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH).
Opponents of the bill include some low-wealth districts and advocacy groups that say the proposal does not go far enough in addressing the equity gap that benefits affluent school districts.
Other Organizations That Share Our Endorsement: San Francisco Chronicle.
Paid for by TogetherSF Action. Not authorized by any candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate. Financial disclosures are available at sfethics.org.