To ensure that all students have access to safe and modern educational facilities and continue our excellence in education, the SMUSD Board of Education unanimously voted to place a $200 million school improvement bond measure on the November 2024 ballot.
This locally controlled funding would fix our schools, upgrade our classrooms, and improve access to educational technology.
The measure would help SMUSD qualify our schools for future state matching funds, which would otherwise not be available.
Why a Bond Measure?
- Some San Marino schools were built over 50 years ago, and as a result are aging and need basic safety, technology and educational updates and improvements.
- Some schools and classrooms have outdated electrical wiring and require updates to science and engineering labs.
- This past year, schools were flooded due to the heavy rains, and some classrooms didn’t have sufficient heat on some days or air-conditioning on others.
Measure Cost
- The Board of Education has voted unanimously to place a $200 million school improvement bond measure on the November 2024 ballot.
- Without increasing tax rates, Measure M would extend the current rate previously approved by voters at $60 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) valuation for as long as bonds are outstanding.
- Assessed value is based on the original purchase price of a home and is often lower than market value, particularly for those residents that have owned their homes for a long time.
Bond Measure Projects
- Upgrade classrooms, labs, and technology that support college and career readiness
- Ensure safe drinking water at all schools and facilities
- Repair or replace leaking roofs, damaged ceilings, outdated electrical, plumbing, and other utility systems
- Update student safety and security systems
Fiscal Accountability
- All money raised by Measure M would be controlled locally and will not be taken by the State
- Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee and annual financial and performance audits would be required to ensure that funds are spent as voters intended
- Qualify our schools for future state matching funds, which would otherwise not be available
To learn more about our Facilities Master Plan, Measure M and our vision for the future, visit https://smusd.info/measurem