Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much funding does the Measure M bond provide?
A: Measure M is a $200 million school facilities bond that provides funding to ensure safe, modern, educational facilities for all students. This funding level was set to align with the District’s bonding capacity and facility needs identified in the 2023-2024 Facilities Master Plan, which estimated over $330 million in total facility needs across all four campuses. Because the full need is greater than the bond amount, the District will use Measure M dollars together with state matching funds, developer fees, and other sources to complete as many top-priority projects as possible.
Q: Approximately how much does a community member pay to fund the bond measure?
A: Proceeds from property taxes for Measure M are collected through annual property taxes at the rate of $65 per $100,000 of assessed value toward the bond measure. For example, a home with a value of $1,000,000 would pay approximately $650 annually.
Q: When was the bond approved?
A: Measure M was approved by San Marino voters on November 5, 2024, with strong community support, resulting in 71.8% of voters in favor of the bond measure. Only 55% was required for passage.
The bond’s approval came after a year-long facilities master planning process (June 2023–May 2024) that engaged more than 740 participants, including parents, students, teachers, staff, and community members. This input helped shape the priorities in the Facilities Master Plan, ensuring the bond measure focused on the highest-impact projects for San Marino schools.
Q: How long does the bond last?
A: Measure M is designed to be a long-term investment in San Marino schools. The District’s Facilities Master Plan provides a 10-15 year roadmap of projects, and the bond funds will be issued and spent in phases during that period. Measure M projects will be completed in phases beginning in 2025, with the exact timeline depending on project sequences, market conditions, and the availability of bond funds as they are issued.
Q: What are the major projects covered by the bond?
A: Measure M will deliver the highest-priority projects identified in the Facilities Master Plan, with the majority of funding focused on upgrading and expanding elementary schools.
- Carver Elementary – Planned work includes new Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten classroom buildings to meet state program requirements, along with the modernization of existing classrooms. Students will also benefit from new playgrounds, upgraded shaded outdoor learning and play areas, and site improvements to enhance safety and circulation.
- Valentine Elementary – Major improvements include a new two-story classroom building with seven general classrooms, four elective labs, a wellness center, and shaded outdoor learning areas. The school will also see modernization of existing classrooms, a new multipurpose and food services building, and new playgrounds and shade structures.
- Huntington Middle School – Improvements include the modernization of older classrooms and restrooms, and enhancements to outdoor spaces such as playfields and hardcourts. These projects will extend the life of the facilities while creating more functional and welcoming learning environments.
- San Marino High School – Tier 1 improvements focus on the modernization of classrooms and specialized program spaces, along with safety and security upgrades. Tier 2 projects, such as a new athletics complex, theater upgrades, and additional elective and performance spaces, may move forward if future funding becomes available through contingency savings or available state matching funds.
Q: Which projects will be completed first?
A: The first phase of Measure M focuses on the highest-priority, most time-sensitive projects, especially at the elementary schools. Early projects include:
- Valentine Elementary – A new two-story classroom building with general classrooms, elective labs, and a wellness center, plus shaded outdoor areas.
- Carver Elementary – New Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten classroom buildings, modernization of existing kindergarten classrooms, and new playgrounds with shade.
- San Marino High School – Modernization of the Medical Arts/CTE building, which supports programs like medical arts, robotics, and other career pathways.
In addition, several early-impact projects will move forward throughout the District:
- Playground replacements at Carver and Valentine
- New shade structures at Carver
- Stadium restroom refresh at the high school
- Replacement of the high school’s synthetic turf and track
- Upgrades to stadium and baseball field lighting
- District-wide roof replacements
These projects were chosen because they are most vulnerable to rising costs and provide impactful benefits to students while setting up space for larger campus modernizations in later phases.
Q: Who decides the bond priorities?
A: Bond priorities are based on the 2023–2024 Facilities Master Plan, which was developed with extensive community input. More than 740 parents, students, teachers, staff, and community members participated through surveys, town halls, workshops, and committee meetings.
As a result of that process, projects were grouped into Tier 1 (highest priority) and Tier 2 (future priority if funds allow). The Facilities Advisory Committee, principals, and the community provided recommendations, which were then reviewed and decided upon by the Board of Education.
Q: What is the Measure M Bond Oversight Committee?
A: The Measure M Bond Oversight Committee is an independent citizens’ group required by California law for Prop 39 bonds. It is made up of seven local volunteers appointed by the Board of Education, who represent parents, community members, senior citizens, and taxpayer organizations. Members serve two-year terms and bring experience in areas such as finance, law, education, construction, and community service.
The committee’s job is to review the District’s use of Measure M funds and confirm they are spent only on school facility improvements. The Measure M Bond Oversight Committee provides an extra layer of accountability, ensuring Measure M dollars are managed responsibly and in full public view.
Q: Who is managing the bond program?
A: The Measure M Bond Program is managed by Knowland Construction Services, Inc., under contract with the San Marino Unified School District. Knowland Construction Services serves as the District’s program manager, responsible for overseeing planning, budgeting, scheduling, and construction across all projects.
As program manager, their role includes coordinating architects, contractors, and consultants, tracking costs and schedules, and providing regular updates to the Board of Education and the community.
The program management contract is set up as a one-year agreement with the option to renew annually, allowing the District to adjust staffing, scope, and contract terms as the program progresses.
Q: Where may I find more information about Measure M?
A: The District posts regular updates, reports, and resources about Measure M on the San Marino USD website at www.smusd.us. There you may find board presentations, the Facilities Master Plan, project updates, and financial reports.
The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee will publish annual reports once projects are underway, and the District has adopted KeyAnalytics bond accounting software to provide clear financial tracking and reporting. As the bond program launches, Oversight Committee reports and KeyAnalytics financial dashboards will be introduced to give the community clear, accessible updates.
Community members may also stay informed by attending Board of Education meetings, where Measure M updates are presented regularly, or by following District communications such as newsletters and social media.
This information will be kept current throughout the life of the bond so the community may easily follow progress.
Q: May I be exempt from the bond measure?
A: Unlike parcel taxes, school bond measures do not offer exemptions for seniors, veterans, or other groups. Measure M is repaid through a property tax rate applied to all taxable properties within the District.
The District cannot legally exempt any property owners from this tax. This is required by state law and applies equally to all properties in the San Marino Unified School District boundary.