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April 2008  
The Long-Range Facilities Master Plan
Improvements Boost Learning Environments
San Diego Unified School District has more than 200 school sites; the majority built between 20-50 years ago (50% are over 45 years old). As the buildings get older, facility improvement needs increase. The Long-Range Facilities Master Plan serves as a road map for how the district plans improvements that align with the educational needs of our students.

Since 2004, the district Facilities Management staff has been involved in a comprehensive evaluation of existing and future needs in order to update the Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. They have covered the district's 200 square miles; inspecting each school from top to bottom, identifying needs and setting priorities.

Preliminary estimates show there's more than $5 billion in unfilled educational facility needs currently in the district. New educational programs (K-8 and magnet schools), technology upgrades, safety/security systems improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance upgrades, ventilation/heating/cooling repairs and replacement, and repair and replacement of deteriorated building systems are just a few of the critical projects identified in the Master Plan.

Proposition MM, which is nearly complete, provided only $1.51 billion toward $4 billion in facility improvements that were identified prior to its passage in 1998. Potential sources being considered and evaluated now are: excess property income, developer fees, redevelopment funds, leased property income, State School Facilities Fund and a general obligation bond.

In February, the Board of Education directed staff to evaluate the feasibility of placing a local general obligation (GO) bond measure on the November 2008 ballot. A bond would provide much needed funding for school facilities improvements to boost the teaching and learning environment throughout the district. In addition, improving or replacing aging buildings and infrastructure systems with new more efficient facilities could save the district money. It's important to note that bond funds can only be used for capital ("bricks and mortar") improvements.

The bond measure and ballot language are subject to Board of Education approval. The Board will revisit the bond proposal in June.