School Facility Bonds And The Bret Harte School District
The History of School Facility Bonds in California and the Effects on the Bret Harte Union High School District
The landscape of public education funding in California underwent a seismic shift with the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978. This landmark ballot initiative drastically altered the mechanism for funding public services, including the construction and maintenance of school facilities, by limiting property tax rates and assessed valuations.
Before Proposition 13, school districts largely relied on local property taxes to fund new construction and renovate existing facilities. Bond measures, requiring a two-thirds majority vote, were a common tool. However, the pre-Proposition 13 era also saw variations in the quality of school facilities, often reflecting the wealth of individual communities.
The Impact of Proposition 13
Passed in 1978, Proposition 13 significantly reduced property tax revenues for local governments and school districts. This change had profound implications for school facility funding:
- Reduced Local Control: School districts lost a substantial portion of their direct control over facility funding, becoming more reliant on state-level allocations.
- Increased Reliance on State Bonds: The state of California began to play a more prominent role in funding school facilities through statewide general obligation bonds.
Local Bond Measures Post-Proposition 13
While Proposition 13 limited property taxes, it did not eliminate the ability of local school districts to pass bonds. However, the hurdle for approval remained high, requiring a two-thirds majority vote. Over time, legislative efforts aimed to lower this threshold, recognizing the persistent need for local school facility improvements.
In 2000, Proposition 39 was passed, lowering the voter approval threshold for local school bonds from two-thirds to 55 percent, provided certain accountability requirements were met. This change empowered local communities to invest in their schools more effectively.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite these efforts, challenges in funding school facilities in California persist. Issues include:
- Aging Infrastructure: A significant portion of California’s school buildings are aging and require extensive modernization.
- Equity Concerns: Ensuring equitable access to high-quality facilities across all districts remains a priority.
Challenges for Bret Harte High School Facilities
Established in 1905, Bret Harte High School’s infrastructure is now 120 years old. A school bond is quickly becoming a necessity, given the age of the facilities. We recognize that increasing property values and, consequently, taxes since 2007 have been challenging for many residents, especially those on fixed incomes.
Beyond student use, the campus serves as a vital hub for recreational activities and events along the Highway 4 corridor.. Our facilities accommodate approximately 65,000 guests/public annually, with the Theater hosting 30,000, the Pool 15,000, and Dorroh Field 20,000. This extensive use leads to considerable wear and tear, and since there is no longer state facility funding, public support for school bonds is crucial to address these needs.
To give you an idea of the costs involved, replacing the failing lights on Dorroh Field alone will cost over $400,000. Most of the campus roofs need replacing, estimated at $700,000. The field turf will also require a complete replacement within the next decade, projected at $2 million. These are just a few of the immediate needs, not including an additional $14 million for other safety, repair, and compliance expenses.
Our district has demonstrated excellent financial management of past bond measures. In 2024, we refinanced existing bonds, saving taxpayers $1.4 million. Furthermore, we have invested over $4 million from other general funding sources into repairs and upgrades over the past three years. However, this trend is unsustainable, and we will require community support in 2028.
