Final State School Bond Agreement Announced

Over the weekend, the Legislature announced they came to an agreement on a state school bond for the November 2024 ballot. The bond provides a total of $10 billion, with $1.5 billion for community college capital outlay projects and $8.5 billion for K-12. UC and CSU are not included.

The negotiated agreement is now in print in AB 247 [click here to view]. There are no significant changes to the community college capital outlay program, with one exception: new accountability provisions that apply to both K-12 and community colleges. These include an independent performance audit and a required public hearing before the governing board approves a project that seeks state bond funding.

Next Steps: AB 247 will be heard in Senate Education Committee today at 1:00 p.m., after which it will head to the Senate floor for a planned vote on Wednesday, July 3. After the Senate votes, the bill will return to the Assembly for a concurrence vote, also planned for July 3, and then head to the Governor for his signature. CCFC Executive Director Rebekah Kalleen will serve as one of the two lead witnesses in support of the bill at the Senate Education Committee hearing this afternoon.

The Legislature is also planning to act on a $10 billion climate bond for November 2024 along this same timeline, which has been amended into SB 867. The bond will fund drinking water, wildfire prevention, drought preparedness, and clean air programs.

While this bond will not meet all our many needs, it will go a long way toward building new educational and job training spaces, as well as facilities to meet basic needs and ensure student success. CCFC is grateful to be included in the school bond and we thank our legislative leaders and the Governor for recognizing the importance of community college facilities.

Rebekah Kalleen
CCFC Executive Director