Californians will soon have the chance to vote on Assembly Bill (AB) 247, a statewide general obligation bond that proposes $10 billion in funding for the construction and modernization of education facilities. ($8.5 billion is allocated for K-12 schools and $1.5 billion for community colleges.)
Officially known as the Transitional Kindergarten Through Community College Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2024, the bill has already passed key Assembly and Senate committees as well as the Senate Committee on Appropriations. As a result, AB 247 will likely appear on the ballot in November 2024.
If passed, eligible school districts and community colleges must conduct a public hearing, audit, and post project and audit information on their websites to apply. They must also submit a five-year school facilities master plan to the Department of General Services.
Addressing Critical School Facility Needs
Recent studies show that of the 310,000 classrooms in California, 75% are more than 25 years old, 30% are more than 50 years old and 10% are more than 70 years old. A 2020 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office revealed that many school districts urgently needed upgrades to HVAC systems, interior lighting, roofing, and safety and security features.
If passed, AB 247 would be California’s first statewide education bond since 2016, when voters approved Proposition 51. The failure of Proposition 13 in 2020 left schools without new funding for eight years, during which time deferred maintenance costs have accumulated, straining district budgets.
Leaky roofs, malfunctioning HVAC systems, outdated electrical infrastructure, and inadequate water treatment contribute to poor indoor air quality, mold growth, and other environmental hazards that compromise the health and well-being of students and staff. In addition to the documented health issues, dilapidated facilities and aging infrastructure undermine student morale, motivation, and academic performance. (It’s worth noting here that a new report confirms that U.S. reading and math scores have now dropped to the lowest level in decades.)
Key Funding Areas
AB 247 aims to provide matching funds to school districts, combining state and local bond dollars for new construction, modernization projects, and more. The proposed funding breakdown includes:
New Construction:Â $3.3 billion
Modernization:Â $4 billion
Lead in Water Testing and Remediation:Â $115 million
Career Technical Education:Â $600 million
Charter Schools:Â $600 million
Funds would also support additional programs such as career technical education, charter facility programs, minimum essential facilities, and facility hardship grants. These investments are intended to enhance educational environments and potentially stimulate local economies.
Benefits for Lower Wealth Districts
The bill introduces a sliding scale for state funding, ensuring that lower-wealth districts receive a higher share of state funds:
New Construction:Â Increases state grants for lower wealth school districts from 50% to 55% based on local fund generation capacity and percentages of low-income, foster care, and English learner students.
Modernization: Increases state grants from 60% to 65% based on based on a district’s ability to generate local funds and the percentages of low income, foster care, and English learner students.
Support for Modernization and Construction Projects
AB 247 addresses the challenges faced by districts working with outdated budgets, helping them to complete projects started under previous local bonds. For example, rising costs have forced many districts to modify or scale back plans, leaving some projects unfinished. The new funding would help fulfill commitments made to voters and ensure that facilities meet modern standards.
Additional Provisions
AB 247 also includes several key provisions:
Kitchens, Preschools, and Health Facilities:Â New construction and modernization projects can include building kitchens, gymnasiums, multipurpose rooms or libraries.
Protection from Higher Temperatures: Eligible school districts can apply for new construction or modernization grants of up to 5% of project costs. This supplemental grant supports projects that advance state energy goals and address rising temperatures that threaten the health and safety of students and staff.
Assistance for Small and Priority Schools:Â A dedicated process with technical assistance is established to help small (under 2,500 students) and priority (low bonding capacity, high percentage of low-income, foster care, and English learner students) districts access facilities funds. Ten percent of new construction and modernization funds are set aside for small school districts.
Financial Hardship:Â Increases the eligibility for school districts that cannot provide a local match to receive up to 100% of state grants.
Lead in Water:Â Provides separate funding for school districts to test and remediate lead in drinking water outlets.
Disaster Assistance:Â Offers immediate support, such as temporary facilities, for school districts impacted by disasters such as wildfires.
Replacement of 75-Year-Old Facilities:Â Establishes a program allowing buildings that are at least 75 years old to qualify for higher new construction funds to replace them, rather than renovate facilities that may not meet modern educational standards.
In Conclusion
If approved, AB 247 would bring much-needed upgrades to California’s aging school facilities, enhancing educational environments statewide and supporting districts in meeting the needs of their students. As the 2024 vote approaches, AB 247 represents a significant opportunity to invest in the future of California’s educational infrastructure.
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