San Francisco (November 6, 2024) - San Francisco voters appear to have passed Proposition A, a $790 million general obligation school bond measure, according to preliminary results. The passage is subject to final certification from the San Francisco Department of Elections.
The 2024 bond will enhance safety, improve core building functions, and create conditions for modern learning for San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) students. The district has significant building improvement needs, and bonds are the only funding source for the school district to make necessary capital upgrades.
“This is a major victory for SFUSD students and staff, and reflects the dedication and support of the community in San Francisco’s public schools,” said Superintendent Maria Su. “With the passage of this bond, we will be able to invest in much-needed improvements to our schools, enhance our educational programs, and provide a better learning environment for our students. We are so grateful for the support of San Francisco voters, who have shown they believe in our schools and want to help improve the daily learning experiences of our city’s young learners.”
Prioritization investment categories for the 2024 bond include school modernizations, core functionality, student nutrition services, technology, security, and schoolyard outdoor learning. A key project is the Student Nutrition Services Food Hub + Shops, which the district will begin implementing in order to meet its schedule goals. For a more complete outline of the 2024 Bond goals and scope commitments, check out the Bond Report on the program’s website.
The 2024 bond will build on the voter-approved bond measures in 2003, 2006, 2011, and 2016, which have funded improvements at every single school in the district. The 2011 and 2016 bonds completed 44 school modernizations, with four currently in progress as the program spends down funding from its last bond sale in 2022.
High Performance Track Record with Previous Bonds
SFUSD maintains an excellent track record with its current and previous bond programs. The district has a 20-year history of delivering capital projects efficiently and effectively, and has built institutional capacity of excellence in project delivery. SFUSD’s debt burden and tax rates are relatively low when compared to other large school districts in the state. SFUSD spends down bonds efficiently and general obligation bond tax rates have always been lower than what was presented to voters in the bond measure at election time.
Next Steps
SFUSD’s Bond Program will share its initial set of projects and communicate transparently about selection. For more information, please visit the Bond Program website. Members of the public are also welcome to attend the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC).
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