School Facilities Improvement

Most of Hayward’s schools were built in the 1950s and 1960s and need repairs and upgrades. In fact, 18 of HUSD’s 29 school sites are over 60 years old and were built for a different era of education when the demands of a 21st Century education in science, math, engineering and technology could not have been imagined. Many school facilities have deteriorating sewer, plumbing and heating and ventilation systems. Aging portable classrooms are deteriorating and no longer meet safety and instructional standards.

Starting in 2006, HUSD partnered with architects and school facility construction experts to conduct a thorough assessment of every classroom, lab and school facility in the District to evaluate conditions and identify needed upgrades. This work resulted in HUSD’s comprehensive Facility Master Plan, which has been updated periodically over the years, most recently in 2023.

Because the State of California does not provide dedicated funding for facility improvements, HUSD has had to rely upon voter-approved local school facilities improvement bond measures to fund the upgrade and repair of local schools. Thanks to the generous support of Hayward voters, many important upgrades have been completed, including:

• Several of Hayward’s oldest schools have been replaced with new school facilities

• Modern science, technology, engineering and math classrooms and labs have been added to some campuses

• Art, music and athletics facilities have been upgraded

• Solar panels have been added across the schools to supply HUSD’s electrical needs with green energy

• Some classrooms have been repaired and modernized

Passage of local bond measures have provided the local matching funds needed to access over $40 million in state matching funds to improve Hayward schools that would have otherwise been allocated to schools in other communities. HUSD is now eligible for an additional $79 million in State matching funds, thanks to passage of the last bond measure.

Past school facility improvement bond measures approved by local voters required strict fiscal accountability protections, including an independent citizens’ oversight committee comprised of Hayward community members and mandatory annual audits. Since 2008, the reports of HUSD’s Citizens’ Oversight Committee and independent audits have consistently confirmed that funds have only been spent on voter approved projects and the work has been completed on time and on budget. Review the Reports of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee.

The original Facilities Master Plan from 2006 outlined the need for four separate bond measures to address the identified needs. To date, HUSD has passed three bond measures to make progress toward addressing the needs in the Facility Master Plan. HUSD is now making plans for the next measure to fund identified upgrades.

While some HUSD schools have been upgraded, others have not. To ensure all students attend class in safe and up-to-date classrooms, the HUSD Board of Education recently voted to place a $550 million school facilities improvement bond measure on the March 5, 2024 ballot for local voters to consider. The $60 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) tax rate for this bond measure would not increase HUSD‘s total bond tax rate above the amount previously approved by voters. Locally controlled funding from the measure could be used to:

• Improve earthquake safety at schools on or adjacent to the Hayward Fault and upgrading schools so they meet current health codes and building safety codes
• Support safety and security enhancements
• Provide modern classrooms, science labs, art and music centers, library spaces, and career-technical facilities and equipment so students are prepared for college, in-demand careers, and skilled trades
• Repair older school facilities including deteriorating plumbing, sewer, and electrical systems
• Replace aging portable classrooms with modern, permanent classrooms
• Improve gymnasiums, locker rooms, fields, and outdoor play spaces
• Keep classroom technology and computer systems up-to-date
• Provide accessible play and learning environments for students with disabilities and more restrooms for students

If approved by at least 55% of voters in HUSD, the school facilities improvement bond measure on the March 5, 2024 ballot would provide $550 million in locally controlled funding to upgrade local schools.

These bonds can be issued at a tax rate of $60 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value. Approval would not increase HUSD’s total bond tax rate beyond the amount previously approved by voters. In other words, HUSD can issue new bonds to continue repairing and upgrading local school facilities without the total tax rate for outstanding bonds exceeding the level already approved by voters.

A local school facilities improvement bond measure would require strong fiscal accountability protections, including:

• A detailed project list indicating projects that could be funded by the measure
• A Citizens’ Oversight Committee and independent audits to ensure funds are spent properly
• Required public disclosure of all spending
• Funds may only be used to improve HUSD schools facilities and no other purpose