Local Funding
Repairing and Upgrading Local Schools
High Quality Education in Local Schools
Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) is proud to provide an outstanding, standards-based, and well-rounded academic program. Maintaining excellent education in local public schools is essential to our community.
Local Schools Built Between 1930-1968
Some of our older facilities don’t meet current accessibility or building safety standards. In some of our older schools, underground pipes are failing, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups. Last year, there were a dozen roof leaks.
Fact Sheet PDF
Repairing Schools and Supporting High-Quality Education – Without Increasing Tax Rates
The LBUSD Board of Education voted to place a local school facilities bond measure on the November ballot. LBUSD has not passed a bond measure in 25 years. If approved by voters, the measure would authorize up to $83 million in bonds for school facilities improvements. The measure would replace the district's existing school bond tax as it expires. Bond proceeds could be used to:
- Provide modern labs, career technical education facilities, and equipment to prepare students for college and in-demand careers such as health sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades
- Repair and replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas lines, sewer lines, and electrical systems, and remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead paint where found in older schools
- Upgrade older schools to meet current building safety and accessibility standards
- Upgrade emergency communications and fire safety systems, harden school buildings with fire-resistant materials, and manage landscaping to create defensible space from wildfires
Mandatory Fiscal Accountability & Local Control
If approved by voters, the measure would replace the district's existing school bond tax as it expires at an expected tax rate of approximately $8.85 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value).
- By law, all money raised by the proposed measure could only be used to improve local schools, and could not be taken away by the State or used for other purposes
- An independent citizens’ oversight committee, comprised of non-District community members, would be required
- Annual public spending disclosure would be mandatory
We Want to Hear from You!
For more information or to ask questions, please contact Anakaren Ureño, Director of Communications and Engagement, at aureno@lbusd.org.
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FAQ
How are Laguna Beach Unified schools performing?
Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) is proud to provide an outstanding, standards-based, and well-rounded academic program. Maintaining excellent education in local public schools is an essential part of our community.
What are some of the repairs and upgrades that are needed to school facilities?
Our local schools were built between 1930 and 1968. Some of our older facilities do not meet current accessibility or building safety standards. In some of our older schools, underground clay and cast-iron pipes are failing, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups. Last year alone, there were a dozen roof leaks. There is also a need to upgrade aging emergency communications and fire safety systems, harden school buildings with fire-resistant materials, and manage landscaping to create defensible space from wildfires.
How would the District fund these repairs?
The LBUSD Board of Education voted to place a local school facilities bond measure on the November ballot. LBUSD has not passed a bond measure in 25 years. If approved by voters, the measure would authorize up to $83 million in bonds for school facilities improvements. The measure would replace the district's existing school bond tax as it expires.
What would the measure cost?
If approved by voters, the measure would replace the district's existing school bond tax as it expires at an expected tax rate of approximately $8.85 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value).
Specifically, how would the measure be used to complete needed improvements?
Funding from this potential measure could be used to:
- Provide modern labs, career technical education facilities, and equipment to prepare students for college and in-demand careers such as health sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades
- Repair and replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas lines, sewer lines, and electrical systems, and remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead paint where found in older schools
- Upgrade older schools to meet current building safety and accessibility standards
- Upgrade emergency communications and fire safety systems, harden school buildings with fire-resistant materials, and manage landscaping to create defensible space from wildfires
How do I know funds from the potential measure would be used responsibly?
- By law, all money raised by a potential measure could only be used to improve local schools, and could not be taken away by State or used for other purposes
- An independent citizens’ oversight committee, comprised of non-District community members, would be required
- Annual public spending disclosure would be mandatory
When was the last time we passed a ballot measure? Why do we need more funding?
In 2001, Measure R was approved by 80% of Laguna Beach voters and funding was used to update classrooms, build a multipurpose room at Thurston Middle School, add a kindergarten and first grade wing at Top of the World Elementary School, install energy efficient lights and windows, among other projects. However, significant capital improvements and deferred maintenance across many campuses fall outside the scope of the District's operating budget and would take decades to address through existing funding alone.
What is the difference between a bond and a parcel tax?
The primary difference between a school bond and a parcel tax lies in their purpose. Bonds are for building and repairing facilities, while parcel taxes are for supporting programs, staff, and operations. By law, bond funds cannot be used for operating expenses such as programs and staff.
May funds from the potential measure be used for administrator salaries and pensions?
No. By law, no funds from the potential measure may be used for operating expenses, including administrator salaries and pensions.
Are senior exemptions available?
Under state law, general obligation bond measures do not permit senior exemptions. However, because the cost of a bond measure is based on the assessed value of a home, which is tied to the original purchase price and grows at no more than 2% per year, longer-term homeowners typically have lower assessed values.
Would all funds benefit our neighborhood schools only?
All funds from a potential measure would benefit Laguna Beach Unified School District only. No funds could be taken by the State or used for other purposes.
When would the potential measure appear on the ballot?
The LBUSD Board of Education voted to place the measure on the November 3, 2026, ballot.
How can I share my thoughts or learn more?
For more information or to ask questions, please contact Anakaren Ureño at aureno@lbusd.org or 949-497-7700 Ext. 5232