Last November, Proposition 2 was approved by almost 60 percent of California voters, authorizing issuance of $10 billion in general obligation (GO) bonds to fund repairs, upgrades, and construction of kindergarten through twelfth grade schools, community colleges, and technical education facilities. The bond will cost taxpayers roughly $500 million annually.
About three-quarters of San Francisco electorates favored the state bond. Proposition A, a municipal measure, garnered a similar level of support, authorizing $790 million in GO bonds to construct, repair and modernize classrooms, outdoor facilities and playgrounds, build new cafeterias, improve earthquake safety, replace worn-out electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems and add safety features at San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) facilities. Homeowners will be charged $12.95 per $100,000 of assessed value annually until the bond is repaid, estimated to occur in 2047. Landlords can pass a portion of the costs to their tenants.
SFUSD’s Facilities Master Plan rates two Potrero Hill campuses, Bryant Elementary School and San Francisco International High School, as “deficient.” Since 2003, $4.3 million in capital improvements have been made to Bryant, which this year had an enrollment of 270 students, with a capacity of 316. San Francisco International High School has received roughly a half-million dollars in facility upgrades over the past 20 years, mostly related to security locks and outdoor spaces. The school has 293 students, and a capacity of 499.
The Plan rates Downtown High School, Starr King Elementary School and Daniel Webster Elementary School as “good.” Downtown and Starr King had “excellent” ratings for their exteriors, while Daniel Webster was regarded as “good.” Since 2003 $7.4 million has been invested in Downtown High School, $13.3 million in Starr King, and $12 million in Daniel Webster. This year Downtown had 134 students, with space for 225. Starr King’s enrollment was 318 students, with an ability to accommodate 415. Daniel Webster had 341 students and a 382 capacity.
Potrero Hill, Mission Bay, Dogpatch, Bayview, and the Inner Mission’s population is expected to double over the next 30 years, as the area continues to transform from industrial land to residential developments. More students live in the southeastern neighborhoods than total school capacity.
Proposition A funds will be used to co-locate SFUSD’s new central Food Hub with the district’s main warehouse at 801 and 834 Toland Street. The Food Hub will mostly be used for storage, with space for minor meal production and supporting administrative offices.
“The 2024 bond will complete the Food Hub + Shops building, allowing SFUSD to better source and prepare food for distribution to schools,” said the SFUSD Communications Office.
SFUSD plans to add a central kitchen at the Food Hub, with capacity to produce 50,000 daily meals. Construction is likely to begin in 2028. However, the district needs more money to fully execute the scullery.
Under California Meals for All, state legislation that became effected with the 2022 academic year, public school students receive meals at no cost, no application needed.
SFUSD is developing a Schoolyard Comprehensive Plan to identify priorities for playground repair and construction, scheduled to be completed this summer. The strategy is being led by Berliner Architects, a Culver City-based architecture firm and SITELAB urban studio, a San Francisco company that’s also working on the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Potrero Yard Modernization Project and Pier 70, among other projects.
“Part of this work includes gathering and examining feedback from San Francisco Department of Recreation and Parks and other agencies and community organizations who are doing similar improvements…an effort to understand best practices, cost-saving measures, and other important city and community priorities,” said the SFUSD Communications Office.
Alina Ferguson