SFUSD staff preview $950M�$1.25B bond proposal and outline outreach and accountability plans

On Sept. 12 San Francisco Unified School District staff presented a preliminary framework for a proposed school bond measure to the board and public, estimating a program range of $950 million to $1.25 billion that would appear on the March 5, 2024 ballot if approved.

Staff described the proposal as a prioritized, phased response to a district-wide facilities condition assessment that identified roughly $6 billion in total needs. The proposed bond would focus on six investment categories distilled from the master plan, including core building systems (mechanical, electrical and plumbing), school modernizations, kitchen and cafeteria upgrades, technology and student-nutrition services, outdoor learning and schoolyards, and site accessibility and safety updates.

Bond staff emphasized a shift in approach: rather than isolated "surgical" projects, they proposed ensuring core functionality is addressed so that new or modernized classrooms are supported by durable infrastructure (for example, HVAC, plumbing and electrical capacity). Staff said they would complete unfinished 2016 modernization commitments at specified schools and undertake at least one high-school modernization as part of the program.

Accountability measures proposed included semi-annual board reporting, a public bond website, and four success indicators (deliver promised prior modernizations, improve overall facility condition, install site security features districtwide, and positive student feedback after project completion). Staff proposed a stakeholder engagement push over the following weeks and planned to return Nov. 14 to present engagement results and a final resolution to place the measure on the ballot by the statutory deadlines.

Commissioners asked about bond sizing relative to the $6 billion need, phasing constraints tied to limited swing space, prioritization and school-selection transparency, and the project-labor-agreement (PLA) threshold (staff confirmed the district PLA applies and currently aligns to a $1 million project threshold that mirrors the city). Staff committed to more detailed project-selection principles and outreach to labor partners, school communities and community-based organizations before returning in November.

No board vote was taken Sept. 12; staff framed the presentation as an early public conversation and invited commissioners and community members to participate in the upcoming engagement process.