Bay Area school bond measures and parcel taxes: What voters should know

More than a dozen Bay Area school bond measures and parcel taxes are slated for the March 5 ballot this year, aiming to secure a minimum of $1.9 billion over the course of several years to improve school facilities and student learning outcomes.

Property owners would foot the bill for the funds for their local schools.

Here is a quick guide to the bond measures and parcel taxes being proposed in cities and counties across the region:

San Mateo County

Location: Daly City
Ballot proposition: Measure C
Proposal: Raise $1.6 million per year
Cost: $88 per parcel
Duration: 9 years
Votes needed to pass: 66.6%
Purpose:

– Attract and retain teachers; prevent layoffs

– Protect core academics in math, science, reading and writing

– Help students read at grade level

– Expand hands-on science learning opportunities

– Maintain reduced class sizes

– Upgrade classroom technology

– Enhance school libraries, music and art classes

– Support after-school and enrichment programs

– Provide competitive compensation for teachers and school employees

Location: Woodside
Ballot proposition: Measure E
Proposal: Raise total of $36 million in school bonds for new facilities
Cost: Annual property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 8 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:

– Maintain funding for science, technology, engineering and math programs

– Supplement teacher salaries

– Sustain music and arts programming

– Keep school libraries open

Location: Pacifica
Ballot proposition: Measure G
Proposal: Raise $70 million for Pacifica School District
Cost: Annual property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 35 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:

– Modernize outdated elementary schools with updated classrooms and science labs

– Construct local affordable workforce rental housing for teachers and staff

– Replace aging portables and heating/cooling systems

– Ensure access for students with disabilities

Location: San Carlos
Ballot proposition: Measure H
Proposal: Raise $176 million in bonds for San Carlos School District
Cost: Annual property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 35 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:

– Repair aging classrooms, leaky roofs, heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems

– Upgrade science, technology, engineering, arts and math classrooms

– Improve fire and safety systems

– Enhance accessibility for students

Santa Clara County

Location: Sunnyvale
Ballot proposition: Measure C
Proposal: $214 million in bonds for school facilities
Cost: Annual property tax of $15 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 34 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:

– Continue renovation and modernization of local elementary and middle schools

– Upgrade school safety and security measures

– Improve access to technology

– Ensure accessibility for students with disabilities

Contra Costa County

Location: Antioch
Ballot proposition: Measure B
Proposal: Raise up to $195 million in new bonds
Cost: Annual property tax of $48 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: 25 years
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:

– Add classrooms at John Muir Elementary School

– New gymnasium at Orchard Park School

– Add a building at Park Middle School

– Modernize Antioch Middle School’s gym

Location: Martinez
Ballot proposition: Measure C
Proposal: Renew an existing parcel tax, about $850,000 annually
Cost: $75 per parcel
Duration: 8 years
Votes needed to pass: 66.6%
Purpose:

– Continue funding of science, technology, engineering and math programs

– Continue to supplement teacher salaries

– Maintain music and arts programming

– Keep school libraries open

Location: Moraga
Ballot proposition: Measure D
Proposal: $52 million in bonds
Cost: Annual property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value
Duration: While bonds are outstanding
Votes needed to pass: 55%
Purpose:

– Upgrade science, technology and engineering classrooms and labs

– Replace leaking roofs and unsafe windows

– Repair and replace aging plumbing and electrical systems

Alameda County

Location: Alameda
Ballot proposition: Measure E
Proposal: Raise $24 million with a parcel tax
Cost: $0.585 per square foot (cap of $15,998, or $598 for unimproved lots)
Duration: 9 years
Votes needed to pass:66.6%
Purpose:

– Attract and retain teachers

– Sustain programs reading, writing, math, science and arts

– Support struggling students

Location: Albany
Ballot proposition: Measure G
Proposal: New parcel tax to raise $4.8 million annually for education programs and teacher salaries, would replace current flat rate of $490 per parcel
Cost: $0.55 per building square foot ($25 per unimproved lot)
Duration: Until ended by voters
Votes needed to pass: 66.6%
Purpose:

– Attract and retain teachers and counselors

– Protect science, math, arts, reading and language instruction

– Support music, art and theater programs

– Maintain small class sizes.

Location: Berkeley
Ballot proposition: Measure H
Proposal: Renews Berkeley Schools Excellence Program, estimated at $44 million annually
Cost: Special parcel tax of $0.54 per building square foot ($25 per unimproved lot)
Duration: 8 years
Votes needed to pass: 66.6%
Purpose:

– Continue high-quality public education

– Provide support for struggling students

– Attract and retain quality teachers

– Keep school libraries open

– Support music/arts programs