Local Funding

San Mateo-Foster City School District provides students with a well-rounded, rigorous elementary and middle school education. The District seeks to inspire students ranging from the youngest preschool learners to graduating eighth graders, ready for success in high school and beyond. The District’s cutting-edge science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) instruction, College and Career Ready Lab program, and exceptional teachers ensure that every student receives an education that is broad in scope yet high in quality. The strong schools at the San Mateo-Foster City School District help sustain property values throughout the community.

While the District has invested in classroom improvements in recent years, more work is needed to ensure 21st-century readiness. Many classrooms were built 70 years ago for a different era of instruction and fail to meet modern educational and safety standards.

Students also lack access to modern shop classrooms, technology, and labs that prepare them for success in high school, college, and later careers.

Several older school sites are aging and pose safety and security risks. Some school campuses have leaky roofs and old windows. Many campuses have fire alarms that are 25 years old and outdated emergency communication systems.

To continue providing a high-quality education and retain its strong teachers and staff, the San Mateo-Foster City School District Board of Trustees is considering placing a bond measure on the 2026 ballot. Bonds issued under a potential bond measure would be payable from the proceeds of an annual ad valorem property tax levied on all taxable property within the District at Proposition 39 tax rates.

If approved by local voters, funding from a potential local bond measure could be used to:

• Replace leaky roofs and old windows
• Restore shop classes with tools and equipment for modern skilled trades and career technical education
• Update classrooms and labs for science, technology, engineering, and math
• Update 25-year-old fire alarms and emergency communication systems
• Provide affordable housing to attract and retain high quality teachers and staff

By law, a school facilities improvement measure would require strict accountability protections, including:

• Independent citizens’ oversight committee, mandatory annual audits, and public disclosure of all spending would be required to ensure that funds are spent as voters intended
• No funds could be used for administrators’ salaries or pensions
• All funds from a local bond measure could only be used to repair and upgrade San Mateo-Foster City School District schools and could not be taken away by the State

While no final decision has been made, the measure being considered would cost property owners $29 per $100,000 of assessed home value. Assessed value is typically much lower than the market value of the home, meaning longtime homeowners would pay less. Renters would be exempt.

The cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of properties. The assessed value of a property is based on the original purchase price and may not increase by more than 2% a year, while the market value tends to grow at a much faster rate based on market conditions. Thus, the assessed value is usually much lower than the market value, especially if a property was purchased long ago at a significantly lower price than it could be purchased for today. It is this lower assessed value upon which the cost of a bond measure is based. 

State law prohibits senior exemptions on bond measures. Bonds issued under a potential bond measure would be payable from the proceeds of an annual ad valorem property tax levied on all taxable property within the District.  However, this bond measure would comply with Prop 13. Proposition 13 requires that property taxes are based on the original purchase price of a home, subject to annual increases not to exceed 2%, not its current market value. That means long-time homeowners generally pay significantly less in property taxes than they would if the bond were based on the home’s market value.

Yes. All funds would be locally controlled and would benefit San Mateo-Foster City School District schools only. No funding could be taken away by the State or used for other purposes. 

While no final decision has been made, the San Mateo-Foster City School District Board of Trustees is currently considering placing a potential measure on the ballot in 2026.

A potential bond measure would need to be supported by 55% of those who vote on it in order to pass. 

Some funding from the measure would go towards converting existing District sites that are not currently in use into affordable housing for teachers and staff.

As the housing crisis in the Bay Area worsens, San Mateo-Foster City School teachers and staff are struggling to afford rent. The availability of affordable and local housing is a major factor when educators are deciding where to work. Redeveloping a closed school site or district property for teachers and staff to rent at affordable rates could help the District in its efforts to recruit and retain its teachers and staff, reduce staff turnover, and ensure students benefit from consistent, experienced teachers.

In 2020, local voters approved Measure T, a bond to update outdated heating and cooling systems, repair outdated electrical systems, and remodel deteriorating bathrooms. Every dollar from Measure T was spent on voter-approved projects, with all work completed on time and on budget.

Independent annual audits have consistently confirmed that Measure T funds were managed responsibly and used as promised. Full reports on Measure T’s projects can be found on the District’s website. The District worked to maximize State-matching funds to complete the projects promised under Measure T. By actively pursuing State-matching funds, the District is eligible to receive an additional $53 million, reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers.

The potential 2026 measure would be subject to the same fiscal accountability provisions as Measure T. All funds would stay local for use at San Mateo-Foster City Schools only and would be subject to a voter-approved project list and independent annual audits. Because the State of California provides no dedicated funding to repair, maintain, or upgrade school facilities, local bond measures remain the only mechanisms for school districts to receive reliable, consistent funding for school improvements.

As we plan for the future of the San Mateo-Foster City School District, we want to hear your thoughts. Please reach out to Diego Perez at (650) 312-7391 or diegoperez@smfc.k12.ca.us.