FAQ

What is Measure B?

Measure B is a local school bond measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot seeking voter authorization for locally-controlled funding to make needed facility repairs, technology upgrades, and safety improvements to Westminster School District (WSD) neighborhood schools. Measure B requires 55% support to pass.

Why has WSD placed Measure B on the ballot?

Most WSD neighborhood schools were built in the 1950s and 1960s and are now 60 to 70 years old. While well maintained, they need significant repairs and upgrades. Last year alone, 135 classrooms and school facilities had leaky roofs. Plumbing, gas lines, HVAC, and electrical systems need rehabilitation, and some restrooms have not been updated since they were constructed 70 years ago. Plus, WSD has more than 150 portable classrooms that are over 20 years old; many are falling apart, with structural damage and water leaks that can lead to mold. WSD has identified over $730 million in unmet facility needs. Passage of Measure B would provide funding to complete the next set of critically needed WSD facilities and technology needs, additionally qualifying WSD to receive up to $90M in State matching funds, leveraging local taxpayer dollars further. All funds would stay locally controlled, dedicated to WSD facilities improvements.

What would funds raised by Measure B go towards?

Below are WSD’s top priorities:

  • Upgrade classrooms for modern science, technology, engineering, arts and math instruction.
  • Repair/replace failing roofs, HVAC, gas/sewer lines, plumbing and electrical systems.
  • Provide labs, technology and hands-on science equipment so students can properly prepare for high school, college, jobs, and careers.
  • Update school restrooms constructed 70 years ago.
  • Renovate outdated classrooms for music, visual, and performing arts instruction.
  • Replace aging portables with modern, permanent classrooms.
  • Improve school safety/security - fencing, cameras, intruder protection, emergency communications, smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, etc.
What is the actual question that voters will be asked to decide in November?

“To provide safe, modern schools by repairing, upgrading and equipping aging classrooms, labs, instructional technology, and school facilities to support student achievement in math, science, technology, arts and engineering; fixing deteriorated roofs, plumbing, HVAC, electrical systems; and improving school safety/security systems; shall Westminster School District’s measure authorizing $128,000,000 in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying $30 per $100,000 assessed value ($8,000,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight, independent audits, and all money locally-controlled?”

Are WSD schools really that old?

Yes. Most WSD schools were built in the 1950s and 1960s and are now 60 to 70 years old. Some classrooms have never been updated since they were built, and some restrooms are original to buildings constructed 70 years ago. Some schools were built so long ago that they do not meet modern health codes or building safety codes, and do not provide proper access for students with disabilities.

What about ongoing school maintenance? Doesn’t the District have a school facilities budget?

Yes. District facilities staff work hard to maintain WSD schools and keep them in good working condition with limited resources. However, the reality is that the types of repairs, renovations, and upgrades that WSD schools now need go far beyond the scope and means of regular school maintenance budgets. Passing a local school bond is the most common way California communities fund needed public school facilities upgrades.

Does the District have a Facilities Master Plan?

Yes. WSD recently completed a detailed analysis and update to its existing Facilities Master Plan, shaped by extensive community input, including: 35 stakeholder meetings, more than 1,000 feedback surveys and conversations, a community mailer sent to 26,389 WSD households, and multiple public board meetings on facilities. The Facilities Master Plan reflects a full assessment of school facility needs — including classroom structures, student support facilities, school equipment, and infrastructure — at every site. Passage of Measure B would improve facilities at every site. Click HERE to read the Facilities Master Plan.

Will Measure B help replace the aging portables still currently in use at WSD schools?

Yes. There are more than 150 portable classrooms at WSD schools that are more than 20 years old. Many are falling apart, with structural damage and water leaks that can lead to mold. These portables are already past their useful lives, and it is more expensive to keep repairing them rather than to replace them.

I don’t have children attending WSD schools, or my kids are grown and gone. Why should this matter to me?

Good schools are the foundation of any healthy, thriving community, contributing to the quality of life and helping to maintain local property values. Studies show that home resale values benefit as neighborhood schools are improved. The longer we wait to complete needed upgrades, the more expensive they will be.

Which schools would benefit from Measure B?

All 17 WSD school campuses would benefit from passage of Measure B. The District’s Facilities Master Plan identified needs at every school site so every school is set to benefit from passage of Measure B.

How much would Measure B cost?

If approved by voters, the $128 million Measure B bond translates to $30.00 per year for every $100,000 of assessed valuation. The assessed valuation refers to taxable value, not the market value of your home. The taxable value of your home or business will depend on when you purchased it. If Measure B is approved, the typical homeowner in our school district would pay about $143 a year, or $11.92 a month.

Will businesses share in the cost of Measure B?

Yes, pending voter approval, commercial, industrial, and residential property owners will all be subject to the same Measure B levy.

How can we be assured that Measure B funds would be spent properly?

Taxpayer protections are REQUIRED by law. Measure B includes a specific project list detailing how bond money can be used, a Citizens’ Oversight Committee, annual independent audits, and mandatory public reporting are also required. Measure B funding cannot be taken away by the State or used for other purposes. No funding is allowed for salaries, benefits, or pensions of school employees.

Doesn’t the STATE provide funding for facility upgrades?

The short answer: very little. in order to access a share of State facility funding, school districts MUST generate local matching funds by passing a local school bond measure. If Measure B passes, WSD would qualify to receive up to $90 million in State matching money when it becomes available.

What is a Proposition 39 school bond measure and what can it pay for?

A Proposition 39 school bond measure is a type of school bond subject to certain requirements outlined in State Proposition 39 approved by California voters in 2000. Prop 39 bonds can ONLY be used to fund public school facility and technology improvements (capital projects — not maintenance, operations, or regular repairs). A Prop 39 school bond requires 55% voter approval to pass. Prop 39 school bonds prohibit the use of funds for operations, administrator salaries, or pensions. They also require independent financial and performance audits on the use of bond proceeds, as well as the establishment of a Citizens Bond Oversight Committee to follow the bond implementation process and publicly report how the money is spent to ensure bond funds are spent as voters intended. All Prop 39 funds stay local to benefit WSD schools and students.

About that Citizens Bond Oversight Committee….tell me more.  What does that committee do?

Measure B requires the Board of Education to appoint a Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) within 60 days of certification of a local school bond’s winning election.  The CBOC is responsible for monitoring bond finances to ensure the public that the money is being spent properly.   

Membership:  The CBOC shall consist of at least seven (7) members including:  One (1) member who is active in a business organization representing the business community located within the District; One (1) member who is active in a senior citizens’ organization; One (1) member who is active in a bona fide taxpayer association; One (1) member who is a parent of a child in the District schools; One (1) member is both a parent of a child in the District schools and active in a school site council or PTA; and Two (2) community members at large.  The CBOC may not include any WSD employee or official of the District, District Board member, or any vendor, contractor or consultant of the District.

The CBOC’s job is to:  (a) receive and review copies of the annual, independent financial and performance audits performed by independent consultant(s); (b) inspect District facilities and grounds to ensure that Proposition 39 bond revenues are expended in compliance with applicable law; (c) receive and review copies of all scheduled maintenance proposals or plans developed by the District; (d) review efforts of the District to maximize Proposition 39 bond revenues by implementing cost-saving programs; and (e) receive responses to any findings, recommendations and concerns addressed in the audits described in (a) above, within three months of receiving such audits.

Have there been other WSD school bonds? If so, when was the last bond?

WSD’s last local school bond measure, Measure T, was approved by voters in 2016. Despite that investment and the school facilities upgrades Measure T funded, significant facility needs remain, Including: repairing deteriorating roofs, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems; upgrading restrooms and classrooms; improving safety and security systems; replacing aging portable classrooms and much more. No other funding exists to address these needs.

What about Lottery funding? Wasn’t the Lottery supposed to fix our schools?

Unfortunately, Lottery funds can only be used for classroom instruction, not technology or facility upgrades. Moreover, the money WSD receives from the Lottery each year comprises less than 2% of WSD’s annual General Fund Budget. Bottom line: Lottery funds alone cannot fund the extensive upgrades that WSD schools need.

If voters approve Measure B, when will the work begin?

Once Measure B is approved, WSD will focus on the most critical facilities needs first, starting with safety and security upgrades. A schedule for funding projects will be developed so projects can be completed on time and within budget.

Who is eligible to vote on Measure B?

All registered voters living within Westminster School District boundaries are eligible to vote on Measure B on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

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