More than a dozen Bay Area school bond measures and parcel taxes are slated for the March 5 ballot this year, aiming to secure a minimum of $1.9 billion over the course of several years to improve school facilities and student learning outcomes.
Property owners would foot the bill for the funds for their local schools.
Here is a quick guide to the bond measures and parcel taxes being proposed in cities and counties across the region:
San Mateo County
Location: Daly City
Ballot proposition: Measure C
Proposal: Raise $1.6 million per year
Cost: $88 per parcel
Duration: 9 years
Votes needed to pass: 66.6%
Purpose:
– Attract and retain teachers; prevent layoffs
– Protect core academics in math, science, reading and writing
– Help students read at grade level
– Expand hands-on science learning opportunities
– Maintain reduced class sizes
– Upgrade classroom technology
– Enhance school libraries, music and art classes
– Support after-school and enrichment programs
– Provide competitive compensation for teachers and school employees
Location: Woodside
Ballot proposition: Measure E
Proposal: Raise total of $36 million in school bonds for new facilities
Cost: Annual property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 8 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:
– Maintain funding for science, technology, engineering and math programs
– Supplement teacher salaries
– Sustain music and arts programming
– Keep school libraries open
Location: Pacifica
Ballot proposition: Measure G
Proposal: Raise $70 million for Pacifica School District
Cost: Annual property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 35 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:
– Modernize outdated elementary schools with updated classrooms and science labs
– Construct local affordable workforce rental housing for teachers and staff
– Replace aging portables and heating/cooling systems
– Ensure access for students with disabilities
Location: San Carlos
Ballot proposition: Measure H
Proposal: Raise $176 million in bonds for San Carlos School District
Cost: Annual property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 35 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:
– Repair aging classrooms, leaky roofs, heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems
– Upgrade science, technology, engineering, arts and math classrooms
– Improve fire and safety systems
– Enhance accessibility for students
Santa Clara County
Location: Sunnyvale
Ballot proposition: Measure C
Proposal: $214 million in bonds for school facilities
Cost: Annual property tax of $15 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 34 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:
– Continue renovation and modernization of local elementary and middle schools
– Upgrade school safety and security measures
– Improve access to technology
– Ensure accessibility for students with disabilities
Contra Costa County
Location: Antioch
Ballot proposition: Measure B
Proposal: Raise up to $195 million in new bonds
Cost: Annual property tax of $48 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 25 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:
– Add classrooms at John Muir Elementary School
– New gymnasium at Orchard Park School
– Add a building at Park Middle School
– Modernize Antioch Middle School’s gym
Location: Martinez
Ballot proposition: Measure C
Proposal: Renew an existing parcel tax, about $850,000 annually
Cost: $75 per parcel
Duration: 8 years
Votes needed to pass: 66.6%
Purpose:
– Continue funding of science, technology, engineering and math programs
– Continue to supplement teacher salaries
– Maintain music and arts programming
– Keep school libraries open
Location: Moraga
Ballot proposition: Measure D
Proposal: $52 million in bonds
Cost: Annual property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: While bonds are outstanding
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:
– Upgrade science, technology and engineering classrooms and labs
– Replace leaking roofs and unsafe windows
– Repair and replace aging plumbing and electrical systems
Alameda County
Location: Alameda
Ballot proposition: Measure E
Proposal: Raise $24 million with a parcel tax
Cost: $0.585 per square foot (cap of $15,998, or $598 for unimproved lots)
Duration: 9 years
Votes needed to pass:66.6%
Purpose:
– Attract and retain teachers
– Sustain programs reading, writing, math, science and arts
– Support struggling students
Location: Albany
Ballot proposition: Measure G
Proposal: New parcel tax to raise $4.8 million annually for education programs and teacher salaries, would replace current flat rate of $490 per parcel
Cost: $0.55 per building square foot ($25 per unimproved lot)
Duration: Until ended by voters
Votes needed to pass: 66.6%
Purpose:
– Attract and retain teachers and counselors
– Protect science, math, arts, reading and language instruction
– Support music, art and theater programs
– Maintain small class sizes.
Location: Berkeley
Ballot proposition: Measure H
Proposal: Renews Berkeley Schools Excellence Program, estimated at $44 million annually
Cost: Special parcel tax of $0.54 per building square foot ($25 per unimproved lot)
Duration: 8 years
Votes needed to pass: 66.6%
Purpose:
– Continue high-quality public education
– Provide support for struggling students
– Attract and retain quality teachers
– Keep school libraries open
– Support music/arts programs
Location: Hayward
Ballot proposition: Measure I
Proposal: $550 million in bonds (estimated $35.2 million annually)
Cost: Annual property tax of $60 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: While bonds outstanding
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:
– Upgrade aging classrooms, labs and career-training facilities
– Improve earthquake and fire safety
– Improve accessibility for students with disabilities
– Update plumbing, electrical and heating/cooling systems
Location: San Leandro
Ballot proposition: Measure J
Proposal: $174 million in bonds for school facilities and teacher housing
Cost: Property tax of $37.28 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: While bonds outstanding
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:
– Constructing rental housing units for teachers and staff so they can live in and be part of our community
– Renovating and modernizing classrooms and school facilities
– Making health and safety improvements, such as seismic reinforcements and removal of hazardous materials
– Constructing a new library, student center, and music building at San Leandro High School
Ryan Macasero, Harriet Blair Rowan
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