The Kindergarten Through Community College Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2024 | AB 247
YES on AB 247: A bond to improve significant challenges in California’s educational infrastructure, housing development, and the state’s overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas reduction. The current state of schools and housing availability in California is inadequate to meet the needs of its population. Investing in climate-resilient and energy-efficient schools and housing is crucial for healthy children and families and to ensure a sustainable future for the state.
The need is clear: outdated school facilities are hindering student motivation, health, and achievement. Approximately 30% of California’s K-12 classrooms are over 50 years old; 10% are 70 years old, urgently needing updates to address safety and educational concerns.
The proposed Kindergarten Through Community College Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2024 in AB 247 would revitalize school facilities to foster students’ educational progress, promote the construction of more energy-efficient homes and help to address California’s climate crisis by supporting the green energy transition in our educational infrastructure.
Statewide school construction bonds are California’s main funding mechanism to help build new schools, improve existing facilities, and make school sites safer, healthier, and more energy efficient. School modernization project applications already submitted exceed current resources in the School Facilities Program. Without additional bond funds, California will not have resources to address a significant backlog of school construction and modernization projects that are needed to provide safe and up-to-date learning environments for our students.
A statewide school bond is also a Housing Creator! Housing that families can afford has a direct impact on improving children’s educational outcomes. The School Facilities Act of 1998 set up a partnership between the state, local educational agencies, and homebuilders to fund new schools and modernization projects. Without the state’s contribution from a school bond, important construction and modernization projects, as well as new home construction, would be stalled.
Investing in school and home construction helps California meet climate goals. New homes and school facilities built to current standards are designed to reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a healthier indoor environment.
The school facilities bond is the only bond proposal that would lead to progress on three top California policy priorities: education, housing and climate.
Voting for students is a winning strategy. For more information, contact Joaquin Pons, California Building Industry Association Senior Vice President of Political Affairs and Communications at Jpons@cbia.org (916) 443-7933, x302.
