Woodside School District

Measure E is a school bond measure on the March 5, 2024 ballot seeking voter authorization for Woodside School District funding to make needed facilities repairs and replacements. Measure E requires 55% support to pass. A “YES vote” approves funding for the District’s plan; a “NO vote” rejects the plan. All Woodside School District voters registered by February 20, 2024, or conditionally registered after the deadline up until and on election day will be eligible to vote on Measure E.

 

As one of the top schools in the state, ranked #1 in the Bay Area, Woodside School District has two key priorities: first, to ensure academic, high school, and career success for every student; and second, to make sure that our school, including facilities, technology, and school grounds are healthy, safe, secure, technologically current, well maintained, and equipped to provide Woodside students with the very best educational setting possible. Critical repairs and replacements to our facilities have been identified as part of our detailed Facilities Master Plan. Measure E is a local school bond measure on the March 5, 2024 ballot, to address these critical needs. 

 

Our school is aging, and significant repairs and replacements are needed. Measure E addresses our detailed Facilities Master Plan, to address Woodside Schools’ most critical facility needs. Our detailed Facilities Master Plan can be viewed by visiting www.woodsideschool.us. Ongoing investments in infrastructure is critical. Part of our responsibility is to maintain quality school facilities.

Woodside School District makes every effort to use resources wisely, but the burden is growing to adequately repair and replace our school facilities and classrooms. Our maintenance and operations team work hard to keep our school safe and in adequate condition, but the current scope of repairs needed far exceeds the standard allotment for school maintenance. Local school bonds are the most common way to fund the upgrades needed. And for those bonds, our high standard of fiscal responsibility has resulted in a AAA credit score, the highest rating possible.

 

A Proposition 39 school bond measure can only be used to fund school facility and technology improvements. A Proposition 39 school bond requires 55% to pass. Proposition 39 school bonds prohibit the use of the funds for operations, administrator salaries or pensions. It also requires independent financial and performance audits on the use of bond proceeds and an independent citizens’ oversight committee.

 

Yes. We are constantly assessing our facility’s needs. Please visit www.woodsideschool.us to view the entire detailed Facilities Master Plan.

Unfortunately, restricted Lottery funds can only be used for classroom instruction, not technology or facility upgrades. Moreover, the money our school district receives from the Lottery each year comprises .25% (less than 1%) of our annual General Fund Budget. Lottery funds alone cannot fund the extensive upgrades that our schools need.

If voters approve Measure E, the District will immediately focus on the most critical facilities needs. A schedule for funding projects will be developed so they can be completed on time and within budget.

 

A $36 million bond translates to about $30 per year for every $100,000 of assessed valuation (OR $300 per year for every $1 Million of assessed valuation). The assessed valuation refers to taxable value, not the market value of your home. Due to Prop. 13, the taxable value of your home or business is frequently less and will depend on when you purchased it. 

Woodside School District makes every effort to use taxpayer dollars wisely and save taxpayers money. In fact, that's one of the reasons we have a AAA credit score, the highest rating possible. Independent citizen’s oversight and mandatory annual audits would also ensure proper spending. Further, by law, NO funds could go to administrators’ salaries.

 

Very little. In the past, State funding has been available to support local school repairs, but especially now, we cannot count on this uncertain source of funding.

Yes. Our community has been very supportive of our school. But it has been 10 years since our last bond, and while a lot was accomplished, we have more work to do as set forth by our Facilities Master Plan. Measure D was overwhelmingly supported in 2014 as the first step in a multi-year effort to repair and replace our aging Woodside School, starting with a first set of most urgent needs. Thanks to the generosity of our community, local children are now benefiting from improved school facilities. Our community also passed Measure D in 2005 to replace temporary portable classrooms with permanent classrooms, and another measure in 1999. However, even with these previous measures, our Facilities Master Plan still identifies $47.5 Million in unmet facility needs.

 

TK, also known as Transitional Kindergarten, is a grade level for all 4-year-old students before kindergarten. It is a state requirement that all public schools offer TK – essentially asking all schools to add an entire grade level without providing financial support or space to do so. Measure E will ensure we have properly fitted classrooms for our youngest students as per the state requirement.

Yes, both commercial and residential property owners will be subject to the assessment.

Woodside School District registered voters have the final say when they vote for or against Measure E on the March 5, 2024 ballot. All voters will receive a Vote by Mail ballot in early February and can mail in or drop off their ballots early instead of voting at vote centers on election day.

 

The last day to register to vote online or postmark is February 20, 2024. However, you can “conditionally” register to vote at the San Mateo County elections office after the 15-day voter registration deadline up until and on election day at any Vote Center in the County. Visit registertovote.ca.gov to register to vote, pre-register to vote at ages 16 and 17, and check your registration status.

 

You will need to re-register at registertovote.ca.gov, or with a paper registration form. Paper forms are available at the Elections Office, the library, and post office.

To learn more, visit woodsideschool.us OR call 650-851-1571