Preparing for a School Bond: A Readiness Checklist for District Leaders

It is tempting to start with the question, “How much can we pass?” A better starting point is, “What do our schools actually need?” A bond built on a documented needs basis is easier to explain, easier to deliver and easier to defend.

That needs basis usually comes from a current facilities master plan and condition assessment. If your data is more than a few years old, refresh it before you start sizing a measure.

California law requires local school bonds approved under Proposition 39 to include a specific list of projects to be funded. That list becomes a commitment to voters, so it needs to be specific enough to be meaningful and flexible enough to be deliverable.

Work with legal counsel on project list language. Priorities should trace back to your master plan so the board can explain why each project is there.

Underestimating costs is one of the most common, and most damaging, bond mistakes. Construction cost alone is not the project budget. Soft costs, escalation over the life of the program and contingency can add substantially to the total.

If a bond program runs over several years, projects in later phases will cost more than they would today. Build that into the plan up front rather than cutting scope later and explaining the gap to the community.

Community engagement should begin during planning, not a few months before an election. Listening sessions, site tours and surveys help the district understand priorities and surface concerns while there is still time to respond.

Keep it informational. Districts may use public resources to provide accurate, impartial information about facility needs and a proposed measure, but they may not use public funds to advocate for or against a measure. Consult legal counsel on where that line falls, and keep any campaign activity separate and privately funded.

Bonds passed under Proposition 39’s 55% voter threshold come with accountability requirements, including an independent citizens’ oversight committee and annual performance and financial audits. These are not just compliance boxes; they are how a district shows voters their money is being spent as promised.

Think about how you will report progress before the measure passes. Clear, regular reporting builds credibility for this program and for any future one.

Passing a bond is the beginning, not the end. The district needs a plan for how the program will be managed: who makes decisions, how scope and budget changes are approved, how projects are sequenced, and how state matching funds will be pursued.

An honest readiness check before the board votes can reveal gaps while there is still time to close them. K12CG helps districts assess bond readiness and build program budgets grounded in realistic costs.