Ballots are still being counted from the November general election, but one thing is certain: California voters are on track to approve a record number of school facility bonds, including Proposition 2—a $10 billion statewide bond measure which has 56.9% of voter support at the time of this writing.
CSDC is keeping an eye on Proposition 32 (the minimum wage measure) — which is trailing at the moment — and several school board and state legislative races. Of course, Eric Premack will share his hot take on the election during the Leadership Update Presentation at the 2024 CSDC Conference in Sacramento on November 18-20. Don’t miss that.
Back to bonds: Several local measures, like Los Angeles Unified School District’s massive $10 billion Measure US, are also likely to pass. School facilities bonds offer a rare opportunity for some charter schools to access much-needed facilities funding, but charter school leaders must navigate complex processes and advocate fiercely to secure their share.
Charter schools in California are structurally underfunded compared to traditional public schools, especially when it comes to school buildings and educational facilities. Site-based charters often divert funds from teaching to cover finance costs, while nonclassroom-based charters receive no facilities funding at all. This inequity limits their ability to provide safe, modern learning environments.
Proposition 2 could help address these gaps by paying for critical upgrades, including safety improvements, environmental fixes, and updated classrooms. However, charter schools historically struggle to access state bond funds due to bureaucratic barriers and the need for local matching funds.
Some local measures, like Chico’s Measure C and Paradise’s Measure G, explicitly include charter schools, thanks to collective action and advocacy efforts before the bond language was approved. Others, like Sacramento’s Measure D, merely allow for charter funding, requiring further advocacy if the measure passes.
Charter leaders must act quickly to rally their communities and secure these funding options. This is a pivotal moment to demand equitable facilities for all public school students.
Remember: CSDC is your partner in advocacy. Join us at this year’s conference breakout sessions related to addressing long-term school building needs:
- Enhancing Charter School Facilities for Climate Resiliency
- What's New at the California School Finance Authority
- School Facilities: A How-To Guide
You can also reach out directly for support to Laura Kerr, Legislative & Community Outreach Specialist, at lkerr@chartercenter.org.
