Prop 2 Explained
What California Educators and Families Really Need to Know About the $10B School Bond
On November 5, 2024, California voters approved Proposition 2, a $10 billion facilities bond. The goal: repair, upgrade, and expand K–12 and community college facilities across the state. It’s California’s largest school infrastructure investment since Proposition 51 in 2016, but this time there’s a stronger emphasis on equity.
What Proposition 2 Does
Repair unsafe and outdated school buildings (seismic safety, lead removal, HVAC upgrades)
Build new classrooms, particularly for transitional kindergarten
Upgrade career and technical education facilities
Provide facility support for charter schools
Who Pays
The bond’s $10 billion price is actually closer to $18 billion when interest is factored in, repaid over 35 years (That's almost double!)
That comes out to about $500 million annually or roughly $36 per California household per year.
How Funds Are Allocated
Most of the funding the $8.5 billion goes to K–12 schools, with $1.5 billion set aside for community colleges. Importantly, funding will not be distributed equally. Higher priority will be given to schools and colleges with:
Larger populations of low-income students, English learners, and foster youth
Older, unsafe, or overcrowded facilities
Less ability to raise funds locally through property taxes
Side Note: Proposition 2 includes charter schools in its funding distribution, but not private schools. This distinction is important charters are public schools and eligible for state facility funds, while private schools remain outside of these bond allocations.
Ex. As an Orange County resident: high-need districts like Anaheim Unified will receive more support than wealthier districts with newer facilities, such as Irvine Unified.
The Pros
Safer, more modern classrooms
More space for transitional kindergarten and CTE programs
Equity-focused distribution that directs resources where they are most needed
The Cons
California is already stretched thin with high taxes and multiple bonds. While $10 billion may not sound overwhelming on its own, it compounds with other statewide debt.
Interest: Bonds aren’t “free money.” The state must pay interest to investors, meaning taxpayers ultimately pay back much more than the $10 billion borrowed.
Bonds bypass the regular budget process, which reduces oversight and accountability.
Infrastructure improvements alone do not address class sizes, teaching quality, or curriculum gaps.
An Educator’s Perspective
As a teacher and a parent, I see firsthand how much environment matters. Students learn better in safe, updated, and well-designed spaces, which is why the California Teachers Association supported Proposition 2 as a critical investment in school infrastructure.
At the same time, I know that real student success depends on more than buildings; smaller class sizes, strong teacher instruction & PD, and meaningful support systems make the biggest difference. Prop 2 is a step forward on infrastructure, but it cannot replace the investments in teaching, programs, and relationships that truly drive real learning outcomes.
Ultimately, while safer and more modern classrooms are essential, ensuring that every child, regardless of zip code, has access to high-quality instruction and support in of upmost importance. Infrastructure is one piece of the puzzle; investing in students themselves is what makes the longterm difference.