School Improvements-FAQ

Who does Windsor Unified School District serve?

Windsor Unified School District (WUSD) serves approximately 4,600 students in preschool through 12th grade. WUSD serves the Town of Windsor and surrounding areas of unincorporated Sonoma County. District schools have earned California Distinguished School honors and Golden Bell Awards and maintain graduation rates well above the state and regional averages, reflecting strong academics and innovative programs.

What is the state of WUSD classrooms and school facilities?

While well maintained, most WUSD schools were built more than 40 years ago and underground pipes and infrastructure are failing, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups. There are 52 portable classrooms at our schools that are more than 20 years old, are falling apart, and many have structural damage and water leaks that lead to mold. Last year alone there were more than 70 school roof leaks at school campuses and facilities.

Has WUSD assessed each school and developed a plan for improvements?

Yes, WUSD has carefully assessed the condition of every classroom and school facility to develop a Facilities Master Plan identifying the priority repairs and upgrades needed at each school campus.

How is the WUSD planning to address identified issues?

To address priority school repairs and upgrades, WUSD has an opportunity to generate $92 million in locally controlled funding by simply extending the current bond tax rate previously approved by voters. thereby raising funds, but not increasing tax rates for our community. The WUSD Board of Trustees voted to place a school facilities improvement bond extension measure on the November 2026 ballot to fund local school repairs and upgrades by extending but not increasing the current $44 per $100,000 of assessed value tax rate.

How can school improvements be funded without increasing tax rates?

An old bond previously approved by voters is set to be paid off this year. The school improvement bonds extension under consideration would simply extend the tax rate previously approved by voters to fund additional school repairs and upgrades without increasing tax rates beyond the amount property owners currently pay. By extending the current rate, new bonds can be issued to fund school repairs and upgrades.

Does the State provide funding for school repairs?

State and federal funding for school facilities is limited, unpredictable, and often requires local matching dollars. That’s why local bond measures are the primary mechanism all school districts use to fund needed repairs and upgrades.

Will a school facilities bond extension measure help WUSD qualify for state matching funds?

Yes, passage of a local school facilities bond extension measure would allow the WUSD to qualify for millions of dollars in state matching funds that would otherwise go to improve schools in other communities.

Would a school facilities improvement bond extension measure repair and upgrade aging and outdated school infrastructure?

Yes, funds from the measure would be used to repair or replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas lines, sewer lines, and electrical systems. Funds will also be used to upgrade older schools so they meet current health codes, building safety codes, and improve access for students with disabilities.

Would a school facilities improvement bond extension measure upgrade classrooms and labs to support quality education?

Yes, funds from the measure would be used to upgrade classrooms, labs, and technology support high quality instruction in math, science, engineering, reading, writing, and arts programs. Funds will also be used to keep computer systems and instructional technology up-to-date.

Would a school facilities improvement bond extension measure help prepare students for college and good local jobs?

Yes, funds from the measure would be used to update labs, career training facilities and equipment so students are prepared for college and in-demand careers in healthcare, biotech, automotive technology, agriculture, welding, and skilled trades.

Would a school facilities improvement bond extension measure help student safety and school security?

Yes, funds from the measure would be used to improve student safety and campus security systems including security fencing, security cameras, intruder protection systems, emergency communications systems, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers.

How do I know funds from a school facilities improvement bond extension measure would be used responsibly?

A school improvement bond extension measure requires mandatory local control and fiscal accountability requirements, including a detailed project list describing how funds must be spent and required public disclosure of all spending. Additionally, an independent oversight committee and annual public reports and audits are required to ensure funds are spent as promised.

Could funds from a school facilities improvement bond extension measure be used to construct teacher or staff housing?

No, the legally binding text of the measure specifically prohibits any funds from being used to construct teacher or staff housing.

Would all funds stay local to benefit WUSD schools only?

Yes. All funds must be locally controlled and cannot be taken by the state or federal governments. No funds can be diverted to other school districts.

Can funds from the measure be used to increase administrator or school employee salaries or benefits?

By law, bond funds can only be used for facility, technology, and equipment improvements and not for employee salaries or benefits.

Didn’t we already pass a bond measure?

In 2016, local voters approved Measure F, a $62 million bond measure that addressed identified needs and priorities at that time. However, it was always known that Measure F funding would not be sufficient to address all identified needs. Over the past decade, schools have continued to age, infrastructure has reached the end of its expected life, and new needs have been identified. The proposed school facilities improvement bond extension measure would fund current repair needs and priorities at local schools without increasing tax rates

Has WUSD used funds from previous bond measures responsibly?

Yes. Reports of the Measure F bond oversight committee confirm that all projects were completed on time and used for voter-approved priorities. A list of completed projects funded by Measure F can be viewed here on our website. 

Didn’t we vote on a bond measure recently?

In November 2024, WUSD placed Measure V on the ballot to issue $122.5 million in bonds at a tax rate of $57 per $100,000 of assessed value. This measure failed to achieve the 55% support required for passage. Since then, WUSD has scaled down the bond proposal to $92 million and restructured the proposal so that it will only extend but not increase current tax rates.

What is the difference between assessed value and market value?

The cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of properties. The assessed value of a property is based on the original purchase price and may not increase by more than 2% a year due to Proposition 13. The market value of a property tends to grow at a much faster rate based on market conditions. Thus, the assessed value is usually lower than the market value, especially if a property was purchased long ago at a much lower price than it could be purchased for today. It is this lower assessed value upon which the cost of a bond measure is based.

Are senior exemptions available?

No. State law does not allow for exemptions to be applied to bond measures. However, because the cost of a bond measure is based on the original purchase price of a home, older residents who have lived in their homes a long time have the lowest assessed values and will pay the least toward the cost of a bond measure.

What is the difference between a school bond measure and a school parcel tax?

Parcel taxes provide local funding to support teachers’ salaries and academic programs. A school bond measure, by contrast, is entirely different and can only be used for school facility upgrades and improvements, such as repairing aging buildings and infrastructure. Bond funds cannot be used for operating costs, salaries, or programs.

I don’t have children attending local schools. How does this impact me?

Even if you do not have school-age children, studies show that funding quality education can help improve the quality of life in the community and protect the value of local homes.

I live in an unincorporated part of Windsor. Does this proposed measure apply to me?

All residents within the boundaries of Windsor Unified School district are eligible to vote on the proposed measure. WUSD includes the Town of Windsor and surrounding areas of unincorporated Sonoma County.

What level of support does a school facilities improvement bond extension measure need to pass?

A school facilities improvement bond extension measure requires support from at least 55% of local voters who vote on the measure for it to pass. If placed on the November 2026 ballot, all registered voters living in Windsor Unified School District would be eligible to vote on the measure.

If you have questions or feedback to share, please contact Jen Cox at jcox@wusd.org or 707-837-7701 Ext. 10002.