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Board approves $790 million bond measure for November ballot
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Education voted to place a $790 million general obligation bond on the November 2024 ballot, including a proposed $200 million student nutrition food hub and investments in core functionality, modernization, schoolyards and security; staff said the proposal would not raise current tax rates.
The San Francisco Board of Education on May 14 approved a resolution to place a $790,000,000 general obligation bond measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
Bond staff described a four-year expenditure period that prioritizes both large and distributed investments: modernization of a large high school (site TBD among Mission, Balboa, SF International and Galileo), a proposed $200,000,000 Student Nutrition Services food hub intended to increase in-house meal production, expanded core-functionality projects (HVAC, roofing and other health-and-safety repairs), outdoor-learning schoolyard upgrades, security and network infrastructure work.
Licinia (Lisonbee) Ybarra and the bond team said the measure is structured so it would replace prior tax levies rather than raise taxes for San Francisco homeowners. The district's financial advisor modeled the plan and concluded the proposal would not increase local tax rates because existing debt would be retired as the new authority is issued.
Commissioners questioned whether the district should seek a larger bond given an estimated multi-billion-dollar facilities need; staff answered that the proposed size reflects the district's current implementation capacity, the desire to maintain fiscal stability while delivering measurable work, and the need to coordinate with the Resource Alignment Initiative and potential state facility grants. Bond staff reported $31,115,000 in state facility grant funds already received and $13,779,000 pending for eligible projects.
Public speakers — including labor and community groups — urged greater emphasis on core functionality (HVAC, roofs) and more binding accountability measures; some urged a larger bond to address deferred maintenance. Board members said the measure is one step in a multiyear facilities strategy and stressed the need to restore public trust.
The board adopted the resolution by roll-call vote (7 ayes). With the vote, staff will submit the measure to the county elections office on the required timetable and begin ballot outreach and accountability planning should voters approve the measure in November.
