What is Measure B?

Measure B is a responsible plan to replace outdated and deteriorating high school classrooms and prevent cuts to instructional programs. It provides $289 million in locally controlled funding to address the most urgent and essential needs at each high school. The State does not provide dedicated funding for school facility repairs and improvements, so local funding from Measure B is the only realistic way to upgrade aging and deteriorating high school classrooms, labs, and school facilities.

Didn’t we just vote on a bond measure for local high schools?

Measure A on the March 2024 ballot would have provided $517 million in funding to repair and upgrade local high schools, which is the full cost of the needed upgrades identified in TUHSD’s Facilities Master Plan. Measure A fell a few hundred votes short of the 55% voter support needed for approval. Following the Measure A election, TUHSD leaders worked with the community to develop a scaled-down proposal that focuses on the most urgent and high priority facility improvements. Measure B is the result of this work.

How is Measure B different from the prior bond proposal?

Measure B is 44% smaller than the bond proposed in March and has a scaled-down project list that focuses only on the projects at each high school that are most urgent and essential for student safety, supporting quality instruction, and keeping local high schools functioning. The tax rate for Measure B is $18 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value), or almost half the cost of the prior bond proposal.

How are students in our local high schools performing academically?

By any measure, academic performance in our schools is among the best in the State and the Nation. In TUHSD high schools, 98% of students graduate, 80% meet University of California entrance requirements, and admission rates to elite colleges rival that of private schools.

What is the state of TUHSD high school classrooms, labs, and facilities?

While TUHSD provides students with a high-quality education, local high school classrooms, labs, and facilities are more than 60 years old, are deteriorating and need urgent upgrades. The last significant upgrades to local high schools occurred when voters last approved bond funding nearly 20 years ago.

Will all local high schools receive funding from Measure B?

Yes, the detailed and specific project list for Measure B allocates funding to each high school for the highest priority projects on each campus. The funding is split equitably among all high schools based roughly on each high school’s percentage of total district student enrollment. 

How was the scaled-back bond proposal developed? 

TUHSD worked with architects, engineers, and school facility experts to review and refine prior plans, focusing only the most critical and urgent repairs and upgrades at each high school in the updated proposal. The District has also incorporated feedback from community members at more than 15 public meetings, through surveys, and other outreach. Detailed plans can be viewed at tuhsdfacilities.org.

Specifically, what types of projects would Measure B fund?

Funding from Measure B would be used to replace the most outdated and obsolete classrooms, science labs, technology, and equipment. It will repair or replace replace leaking roofs and inefficient heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems. Measure B funds will replace outdated and deteriorating temporary portable classrooms.

Does Measure B fund a $73 million kitchen remodel at Redwood High School?

No. This is misinformation being spread by a small group of opponents who oppose any proposal to upgrade local high schools. What they misrepresent as a “kitchen remodel” is really a multifaceted project to replace several of Redwood High School’s oldest, deteriorating, and obsolete buildings. 

The expected expenditure for expanding and modernizing the existing kitchen and service space is $1.0 million of the total classroom building replacements and multi-purpose area construction cost. While this project does provide an indoor area for students to eat and gather indoors on rainy and smoky days, it also includes classrooms and instructional space. 

Are senior exemptions available? 

State law prohibits exemptions of any kind for school facility improvement bond measures. However, the cost of any bond is based on the assessed value of properties. Seniors and other residents who have lived in their homes for a long time have the lowest assessed values and would pay the least.

How can we be sure Measure B funds would be spent responsibly?

Measure B requires strict fiscal accountability protections, including a detailed project list, required public disclosure of all spending, an independent citizens’ oversight committee, and annual audits to ensure all funds are spent as promised. All Measure B funds would be locally controlled and could not be taken by the State or diverted to other uses. By law, no funds could be used for administrator salaries or benefits.

How would schools be upgraded without Measure B?

Many of the identified upgrades at our high schools are essential for student safety and the continued functioning of our schools. Without funds from Measure B, the TUHSD would have to divert approximately $80 million from instructional funding in order to address urgent and essential repairs that cannot be delayed. This would likely require reductions in academic programs, student support services, and teaching positions.

Shouldn’t the State fund school repairs? 

The only funding the State of California provides for facility repairs requires local matching funds from a local bond measure. Like all school districts, TUHSD relies upon on voter-approved bond funding for local school facility repairs. No other funding source exists. Funding repairs from the school district’s operational budget would force significant teacher layoffs and cuts to instructional programs for students.

Isn’t there a statewide bond on the ballot also?

Yes, Prop 2 is on the ballot statewide to create a pool of funds available to local school districts to repair and upgrade local school facilities. Local school districts like TUHSD can only access these State matching funds if they have local matching funds from a local bond measure like Measure B. Voting Yes on B will provide the local matching funds TUHSD needs to compete for our fair share of state matching money that will improve our schools at no additional cost to local taxpayers. Without Measure B, this state funding will go to improve schools in other communities. Prop 2 does not increase taxes. State bonds are repaid from state taxes we already pay.

What if I don't have children in local high schools?

Even if you don’t have school-age children, Measure B is a smart investment. High-quality schools protect and strengthen the value of our homes and enhance the quality of life in our community.

Will all Measure B funds benefit our local high schools only?

Yes. Every dollar raised by Measure B is locally controlled and can only be used for critical and urgent school repairs only identified in Measure B’s legally binding project list. No funds can be taken away by the State or diverted to other uses.

Will funds from Measure B be used for salaries and pensions?

No. By law, Measure B funds are restricted to school repairs and cannot be used for operating expenses, including salaries and pensions.

Can the school board change the project list after the bond passes?

No. The project list is legally binding and cannot be changed without another vote of the people.

Who can vote on Measure B?

All registered voters residing within the boundaries of Tamalpais Union High School District will be eligible to vote on Measure B on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot. To register to vote, visit registertovote.ca.gov.

How many votes does Measure B need to pass?

Measure B requires support from 55% of those voting on the measure in the November election for approval. 

Who supports Measure B?

Measure B is supported by a broad coalition of teachers, parents, students, and education leaders like Marin County Superintendent of Schools John Carroll and Mary Jane Burk (ret). Local elected leaders like Congressman Jared Huffman, County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, and former Supervisor Katie Rice endorse Measure B along with many members of our local city councils and elementary school district boards of education. Respected organizations like the League of Women Voters and Marin Democratic Party recommend a YES vote.

Will Measure B funds be used to purchase locking cell phone pouches (Yondr Pouches)?

No. While TUHSD has discussed using locking cell phone pouches in the future to limit cell phone use by students during the school day, bond funds can only be used for facility improvements, furniture, and equipment. The Board recently deferred a decision on whether to implement locking cell phone pouches until after the election because Measure B will have a significant impact on the district's operating budget. Without Measure B, millions will have to be diverted from teaching and instructional programs to fund urgent repairs to roofs, heating and ventilation systems. 

What if I have additional questions?

If you have questions, please visit YesOnBTUHSD.org to learn more.