Facilities Planning 2024: Building Safe, Secure, Quality Schools

Why address facilities needs in MPCSD now?

• Seismic upgrades at Laurel School Lower Campus (95 Edge Road, Atherton) are critical. Most buildings on this campus were built in 1959 and are non-wood frame buildings. They are considered vulnerable by the state's seismic inventory of California public schools. In California, buildings designed for earthquake safety are crucial.
• Silent emergency notifications and better perimeter security would increase our schools' ability to respond to threats on campus. We also need to be prepared for unlikely, yet catastrophic, events with technology and physical infrastructure upgrades to support reliable internet and emergency notification systems. When incidents happen on campus or the power is out, we still must be able to communicate with families and the public. Upgraded wiring will give peace of mind to families that their children are secure.
• Improving student health and safety with HVAC that can handle increasing numbers of smoky days, unprecedented heat, and public health emergencies is important. Climate change is affecting our schools now. When air quality is bad because of wildfire smoke, we must keep students indoors. When classrooms are over 80 degrees for days on end because of warming, teaching goes on even though research shows that heat inhibits learning. Another pandemic could happen and we need to be ready to safely serve our children in well-ventilated classrooms. The district has outdated gas heating and very little air conditioning. We need to improve indoor air quality for the safety of children and teachers.
• With state matching funds, energy grants, and tax credits on the table now, we need to act fast to access up to $28 million in "free" money. Building costs rise each year, too. The projected difference in cost between 2024 and 2028 is $37 million. Financially, the sooner MPCSD makes these investments the less they will cost. 

How will MPCSD pay for its facilities needs?

• Projects will be funded by a variety of sources, maximizing MPCSD's ability to utilize state matching funds, grants, discounts, and tax credits.
• Developer fees and the district's deferred maintenance budget will cover about $3.6 million.
• The School Board placed a General Obligation Bond on the November 2024 ballot. Measure U would provide the bulk of the funding for these projects.

• The budget summary list of projects and the Facilities Master Plan form a good starting-point for the district’s planning and will evolve and adjust as a bond program is implemented and is not a guaranteed list of projects. The list helps prioritize which projects advance and get implemented depending on scope, sequence, and funding.

MPCSD and Bonds Q&A

Q: What is a General Obligation Bond and what can it pay for?

A: Districts like school districts may issue general obligation bonds which must be approved by the voting community with 55% yes vote. Bonds may only pay for capital needs, including facilities, equipment, and technology. The amount a property owner will pay for a bond is dependent on the property’s value.

Q: When has MPCSD issued bonds?

A: MPCSD voters have approved three bond measures: a $22 million bond measure in 1995 with 82% voter approval, a $91.1 million bond measure in 2006 with 70.6% voter approval, and a $23 million bond measure in 2013 with 75.3% approval. The 1995 Bonds covered modernization across the district. The 2006 Bonds built the Hillview Middle School campus as it stands today, including performance and field space shared with the community. The 2013 Bonds built the Laurel Upper Campus on the space previously leased to the German American School. As enrollment rapidly grew a fifth school campus was needed. Today, Laurel School serves nearly 700 students across its two campuses.

Q: Why did the Board place a bond on the ballot in 2024?

A: Comprehensive facilities planning focused on ensuring safe and secure campuses for all students. The current facilities projects, including new classroom buildings at Laurel Lower Campus and electric HVAC across the district, require bond funding to implement.

Q: How do MPCSD’s bond tax rates compare with other school districts?

A: MPCSD’s K-8 bond tax rates are the lowest in San Mateo County at $24.90 per $100k of assessed value. When the high school district is added to that, MPCSD residents still pay the second lowest bond tax rates in the county at $64.00 per $100k of assessed value.