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What is Proposition S?
Proposition S is a $2.1 billion school bond measure placed on the November 4 ballot that will provide funds to make needed repairs and renovations to every school in the San Diego Unified School District.
What specific improvements will Proposition S fund?
Most San Diego schools are 40+ years old. If approved by 55% of the voters, Proposition S will allow the San Diego Unified School District to:
- Provide up-to-date technology and equipment
- Replace deteriorated plumbing/sewer/roofing systems
- Upgrade outdated electrical, heating/ventilation systems
- Upgrade classrooms, restrooms, and school facilities
- Improve school and playground safety, security and accessibility
- Provide new permanent classrooms to replace trailers
- :Provide comparable facilities for all students
What will Proposition S cost local property owners?
Proposition S will extend the current Proposition MM tax rate of $66.70 per $100,000 of assessed property value for an additional 15 years, from 2029 to 2044.
What is the relationship between Proposition S and Proposition MM?
Proposition S will continue to make repairs and renovations begun under Proposition MM. Passed by 78% of the voters in 1998, MM was the first capital improvement bond the school district had undertaken in more than 25 years. MM repaired cracked foundations, wired schools for the Internet, built libraries and built new schools to relieve severe overcrowding.
The district has completed 98 percent of the Prop. MM projects on time and for $82 million less than the original overall budget.
But the needs for school repairs for more than 132,000 students at 180+ schools were greater than Proposition MM could meet. According to the districts Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, our schools need more than $5 billion in repairs, renovations and upgrades. Proposition S is the next step in the program, making repairs and revitalizing schools with 21st century technology.
Why is Proposition S being proposed now?
Although Proposition MM provided critically needed repairs to many of our oldest San Diego schools, there are many more needs identified to provide a comparable learning environment for students across the district. Construction costs continue to rise while state funds and money from other sources becomes less available. If approved, Prop. S will allow San Diego Unified School District to continue to improve the school facilities for all our students.
How were the specific needs to be addressed by Proposition S identified?
For nearly four years, San Diego Unified has undertaken a comprehensive effort to update the Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. This effort included the formation of updated district standards, as well as performing site-specific assessments at schools. School surveys and cluster meetings held across the district gained input from school staff, principals, teachers, parents, students and community members. The Board of Education also formed an ad-hoc task force of community members and leaders who formed principles that guided the prioritization of projects to be funded by Proposition S.
How will Proposition S help our children learn 21st century job skills?
Proposition S will renovate classrooms and labs for career and vocational programs that teach technical skills.
Will Proposition S bring technology into the schools?
Proposition S will wire classrooms for interactive learning and school campuses for WiFi. It will enable students to access lessons online. It will also help teachers and students interact directly. Proposition S will bring technology upgrades to every school in every neighborhood.
How can I find out what projects are proposed for my school site?
The Proposition S website at www.sandi.net/PropS contains information on site-specific bond projects for every school.
What safeguards are in place to make sure Proposition S performs as promised?
If approved, the funds from Proposition S must, by law, be spent on our local schools to benefit local students, with nothing going to Sacramento, administrator salaries or district operating expenses. Bond money can only be spent on classrooms, buildings and schools. Annual audits will be performed and an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee comprised of local senior citizens, homeowners, parents, taxpayers, industry professionals and others will be appointed to monitor and publicly report on the expenditure of bond funds, making sure they are properly and effectively spent on facilities needs.
How can I learn more about Proposition S?
For more information about Proposition S and improvements planned for your neighborhood school, please visit www.sandi.net/PropS or call San Diego Unified School District at (858) 725-5588 (English) or (619) 725-7419 (Espaρol).
