Consultants tell Central Unified it has more than $100 million in state facilities eligibility under Prop 2; district needs updated facilities master plan

Consultants from Caldwell Flores Winters presented an eligibility review for Central Unified on Oct. 14, saying the district has substantial eligibility for state School Facility Program apportionments — including modernization and new-construction grants — under the Proposition 2 bond funding approved by California voters.

Why it matters: Prop 2 creates a large pool of state funds for TK–12 facilities: districts with eligible projects and certified facilities master plans can access modernization, new construction and several supplemental grant programs. For Central Unified, consultants said the district has more than $100 million of baseline eligibility across campuses; that amount could increase when supplemental grants are added.

Key points from the consultant presentation: - Program basics: The state School Facility Program (Senate Bill 50 framework) provides grants for modernization and construction; apportionments depend on campus eligibility (permanent buildings 25+ years old or portables 20+ years old for modernization) and on new-construction formulas (historical enrollment, existing capacity and local housing growth). - Prop 2 changes: New allowances include a rebuild apportionment for buildings 75+ years old and a “minimum essential facility” grant for missing or undersized critical facilities (kitchens, gyms, multipurpose rooms) regardless of overall campus age. - Central Unified eligibility: Consultants said the district’s campuses generate roughly $100 million in baseline eligibility; some campuses already have Division of State Architect (DSA), California Department of Education (CDE) approvals and board construction contracts in place for two projects, which would enable immediate application on those projects. - Match and financial hardship: Modernization generally follows a 60/40 state/local split; new construction typically is a 50/50 partnership. Consultants explained the state will cover the local match (yielding 100% state coverage) if a district qualifies for financial hardship; districts with heavy existing indebtedness or limited local match have routes to obtain full-state funding. - Facility master plan requirement: Under the new regulations districts must submit a certified, up-to-date facilities master plan to be eligible for an apportionment. The consultants said Central Unified’s current master plan is not up to the new Prop 2 standards and will need substantial updates to include capacity inventories, interim housing plans and other required data. The Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) has given districts two years to meet the new master-plan requirements.

Board concern and next steps: Trustees asked about interim housing for students during construction, timing for master-plan updates and how quickly state funds will be exhausted; consultants said funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and encouraged the district to prioritize two campuses that already have qualifying documents. The consultants and superintendent said staff will return to the Oct. 28 meeting with contract language to pursue state-aid services.

Speakers and credits: Rosa Perez (Caldwell Flores Winters) introduced the team; Greg Norman (vice president, State Aid Services) led the eligibility discussion. Superintendent Marshall and district fiscal staff participated in the Q&A.