Measure K DEFINED: Measure K is a school bond extension measure on the November 3^rd, 2026 ballot, seeking voter authorization to continue locally-controlled funding authorized for repairing and upgrading Fallbrook Union Elementary School District (FUESD) school facilities – without increasing the current tax rate. To pass, this measure needs at least 55%  support among FUESD voters casting ballots in the November 2026 Election and voting on the measure. A “YES vote” is a vote in support of the proposal to continue funding FUESD facilities improvements by extending the District’s existing bond authorization, keeping the tax rate flat; a “NO vote” is a vote to reject the proposal. All registered voters residing within FUESD boundaries are eligible to vote on this measure.

Our Mission is to prepare every student leader with the knowledge and skill-set needed to thrive in high school, college, and career. Like many California school districts, FUESD’s 10 elementary and junior high school sites are aging. Five of the District’s 10 school sites are nearly 60 years old need significant repairs and upgrades to provide safe, modern learning spaces and keep pace with 21st century instruction.

Over the past year, FUESD conducted a thorough assessment of school facilities needs and developed a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan, identifying over $450M in need.   As a result, Measure K has been placed on the ballot seeking voter authorization for a bond plan that addresses only the District’s most urgent facility needs (not to exceed $76M). Measure K proposes to fund the highest priority FUESD facility repairs, including removing hazardous asbestos, repairing or replacing failing roofs, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and water systems, and upgrading school safety/security. NO other funding currently exists to meet these needs.

Measure K Official Ballot Question: “To update local elementary and middle schools without increasing tax rates; replace failing roofs, plumbing and electrical systems; improve school safety; construct/repair/acquire classrooms, labs, facilities, equipment, and sites; and qualify for State matching funds; shall Fallbrook Union Elementary School District’s measure be adopted, authorizing $76,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levying a projected $30 per $100,000 assessed value while bonds are outstanding, generating $5,000,000 annually, with public oversight, audits, no funds for administrators, all funds staying local?”

• Remove asbestos
• Replace decaying water pipes
• Upgrade failing roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems
• Renovate classrooms for modern science, technology, engineering, arts and math instruction
• Improve school safety/security
• Repair our neighborhood schools WITHOUT increasing tax rates

YES.  Safe, modern school facilities are essential to providing a quality education. Studies show that students and teachers perform better in safe, modern classrooms and school facilities. Continuing FUESD’s soon-to-expire locally-controlled funding will allow the District to complete the next set of highest priority repairs and upgrades that will help improve student safety, instruction, and learning.  As school facilities are improved, teaching and learning will be enhanced and our local quality of education will benefit.

FUESD’s Maintenance & Operations staff work hard to keep our schools safe and in adequate working condition. We strive to keep up to date with needed safety and critical time-sensitive repairs.  However, five of our school sites are nearly 60 years old and some are even older!  They need major repairs beyond what routine maintenance funding and our local school budgets can cover.   Putting it another way, with ten school sites in constant use by over 5,000 students, staff and community members every day, our facilities needs far exceed the standard funding allotment FUESD receives for school facilities maintenance.

Fallbrook Union Elementary School District makes every effort to use resources wisely. But with limited help from the State, the burden is growing to adequately repair and upgrade our aging school facilities and classroom technology. To that end, FUESD continues to explore all options — including seeking State matching funds when they become available, to leverage local taxpayer dollars even further in the effort to improve our neighborhood  schools.   It’s been 25 years since we passed a bond to upgrade our neighborhood TK-8 schools.  NO other funding currently exists to properly upgrade these facilities.  Measure K (issuing local school bonds to fund needed improvements) is the most common way California communities  fund the kind of upgrades that our neighborhood schools need.

Here’s the problem: what the State offers is VERY little.  In the past, State funding has been available to support local school upgrades but we cannot rely on this uncertain source of funding – there are simply no guarantees.  Moreover, in order to access State funding, school districts MUST generate local matching funds by passing a local school bond measure.  In fact, passing a local bond is the ONLY way to qualify for additional State funding when it becomes available.  There are no other sources of funding for the major facility upgrades FUESD needs. 

Unfortunately, Lottery funds can only be used for classroom instruction, not facility or technology upgrades. State revenues including Lottery Funds, Mandated Cost Block Grant, and other restricted funds account for 5.8% of all FUESD General Fund revenues. Prop 30, approved by California voters in November 2012, has helped prevent reductions in schools’ per pupil funding but is also restricted to instructional use. Lottery and Proposition 30 funds cannot fund the significant upgrades our schools need.

Quality schools are the foundation of a quality community. Strong schools also strengthen neighborhoods and help maintain property values. Home resale values are directly impacted by the quality of our schools.

FUESD Leadership is committed to transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility for local taxpayers. We greatly appreciate the passage of Proposition X in 2002, approved by local voters, which has helped address critical school facility needs for over the past two decades. An additional bond would build on that support to address the next set of priority upgrades (from $450M in identified needs,  without increasing local tax rates.

All residents who are registered to vote within Fallbrook Union Elementary School District (FUESD) are eligible to vote on Measure K.

The last day to register to vote in the November 2026 election (online or by postmark) is October 19, 2026. You may also conditionally register and vote at your local elections office after the 15-day voter registration deadline. Mail ballots must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2026 and received by the county elections office no later than November 10, 2026. Visit www.sdvote.com to learn more.

Passage of Measure K will NOT raise the current tax rate that local taxpayers are currently paying to improve Fallbrook elementary and junior high schools. The Measure K proposal simply extends WITHOUT increasing the bond authorization voters approved in 2002. That said, the $76 million bond proposal currently translates to about $30.00 per $100,000 of ASSESSED property value. The annual cost for the median homeowner comes to $170.76. The “assessed” value of your home refers to the taxable value, not its market value. The taxable value of your home or business will depend on when you purchased it. In summary, approval of Measure K will continue locally controlled funding for Fallbrook UESD school improvements, without increasing your current tax rate – i.e. keeping your tax rate flat.

Strict taxpayer protections are REQUIRED.  All Measure K funds stay local – they cannot be taken away by the State or used for other purposes.  ONLY school facilities, technology, furniture and equipment upgrades are allowed. NO funds can be spent on administrators’ salaries or pensions. Measure K requires the establishment of a Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) within 60 days after a successful election result is certified.  Independent financial audits and mandatory annual public disclosure (reporting) are also required.  

Measure K  requires the Board of Education to appoint a Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) within 60 days of certification of a local school bond’s winning election.  The CBOC is responsible for monitoring bond finances to ensure the public that the money is being spent properly.   Measure K also requires independent annual audits for the public on use of bond proceeds.

Membership:  The CBOC shall consist of at least seven (7) members including:  One (1) member who is active in a business organization representing the business community located within the District; One (1) member who is active in a senior citizens’ organization; One (1) member who is active in a bona fide taxpayer association; One member who is active in a bonafide taxpayer association; One (1) member who is a parent of a child in the District schools; One (1) member is both a parent of a child in the District schools and active in a school site council or PTA.  The CBOC may not include any FUESD employee or official of the District, District Board member, or any vendor, contractor or consultant of the District.

 The CBOC’s job is to:  (a) to receive and review copies of the annual, independent financial and performance audits performed by independent consultant(s); (b) inspect District facilities and grounds to ensure that Proposition 39 bond revenues are expended in compliance with applicable law; (c) receive and review copies of all scheduled maintenance proposals or plans developed by the District; (d) review efforts of the District to maximize Proposition 39 bond revenues by implementing cost-saving programs; and (e) receive responses to any finding, recommendations and concerns addressed in the audits described in (a) above, within three months of receiving such audits.

The locally elected Governing Board of the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District is the legal entity that placed Measure K on the ballot. Ultimately, Fallbrook Union Elementary School District REGISTERED VOTERS will have the final say on whether or not Measure K is implemented when they vote on the measure this November.

At least 55% of the voters who cast their ballots on Measure K in the November 2026 Election must vote in favor of the bond for it to be approved.  Measure K is being sought under the provisions of State Proposition 39, which prohibits use of bond funds for operations or administrator salaries, benefits or pensions, and also requires independent financial audits and citizens’ oversight.

Once the measure is approved, the school district will immediately focus on the most critical facilities needs starting with safety and security upgrades. A schedule for funding projects will be developed so projects can be completed on time and within budget.