Safe Schools for Los Banos - Yes on C 2026
November 2026 School Bond Measure C
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Measure C all about?
Measure C is a school bond measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot seeking voter authorization for Los Banos Unified School District funding to make needed facility repairs, technology upgrades, and improvements to school sites. Measure C requires 55% support to pass. A “YES” vote approves funding for the District’s plan; a “NO” vote rejects funding for the plan.
Why has the Los Banos Unified School District (LBUSD) placed Measure C on the ballot?
As the local provider of TK-12 public education, Los Banos Unified School District (LBUSD) has two key priorities: to ensure academic success for every student, and to make sure that our schools are healthy, safe, accessible, secure, technologically current, well-maintained, and equipped to provide LBUSD students with the very best educational setting possible. All students deserve to learn in quality classrooms and school facilities. There’s a direct relationship between quality school facilities and student achievement. Studies show that students and teachers perform best in safe, modern classrooms and schools with up-to-date technology.
Most of our schools were built 40+ years ago and no longer meet modern health and safety codes. Some of our classroom buildings are not accessible for students with disabilities. Other school facilities were built so long ago that underground clay and cast-iron pipes, along with other infrastructure, are failing, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups. Last year alone there were 95 roof leaks. Additionally, there are 157 portable classrooms in our schools that are more than 20 years old, some of which have structural damage and water leaks that can lead to mold, and are expensive to keep repairing. And last but not least, our schools are at maximum capacity — additional classrooms and school facilities are needed to relieve severe overcrowding. The District has conducted an extensive analysis of its sixteen school campuses, and consulted with hundreds of community members about needed repairs and upgrades to our school facilities. The Governing Board has voted to place Measure C on the November 3, 2026 ballot for voter approval to continue addressing these needs.
What would funds raised by Measure C go towards?
Measure C Project Summary:
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Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes, where encountered
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Provide modern labs and career technical facilities and equipment so students are prepared for college and in-demand careers including agricultural sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades
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Upgrade schools to meet current health codes, building safety codes, and to provide proper access for students with disabilities
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Repair/Replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas lines, sewer lines, electrical systems, and other facility infrastructure systems, where needed
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Create modern, multi-use classrooms to support hands-on science instruction and learning-by-doing
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Construct additional classrooms, school facilities, where needed, to relieve overcrowding
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Replace portable classrooms that are expensive to repair and maintain with modern, permanent classrooms that meet today’s academic standards and more…
How much will Measure C cost?
A $99 million bond translates to about $32 per year for every $100,000 of assessed valuation for property owners. The assessed valuation refers to taxable value, not the market value of your home; market value is often higher than assessed value, and property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property’s assessed value. If the bond is approved, the typical homeowner in our school district will pay about $98 a year, or $8.16 a month.
What is the question that voters will be asked to decide in November?
“In order to repair/upgrade aging classrooms, science labs, career technology and school facilities to support college/career readiness in math, science, technology, arts, engineering, and skilled trades; fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems; and construct school facilities/classrooms to relieve overcrowding; shall Los Banos Unified School District’s measure authorizing $99,000,000 in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying approximately $32/$100,000 assessed value ($5,000,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with independent audits/oversight and local control?”
How are LBUSD facilities improvements funded?
With limited resources, LBUSD staff continually work hard to maintain our school facilities and education, and keep them in good working condition for thousands of students and staff members. However, the reality is that the types of repairs, renovations and upgrades proposed to be funded by Measure C go beyond the scope and means of regular school budgets. Passing a local school bond is the most common way California communities fund the upgrades we need.
Are Los Banos USD Schools really that old?
Most of LBUSD’s schools were built more than 40 years ago and no longer meet modern health and building safety codes. Some buildings have hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead pipes. At some LBUSD locations, underground clay and cast-iron pipes and other infrastructure are failing, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups; last year alone there were 95 roof leaks.
Does the District have a Facilities Master Plan or Assessment?
Yes. Facilities assessment and planning continue to be a top priority in planning for student success. Our Facilities Master Plan is continually updated to identify and confirm the needs at every school site. Every LBUSD school has facility needs that require attention. Our goal is to address individual school needs while also striving to achieve equity among all school sites so ALL local public schools provide the same quality education.
What is a Proposition 39 school bond measure and what can it pay for?
A Proposition 39 school bond measure can ONLY be used to fund public school facility and technology improvements (capital projects – not maintenance or regular operations). A Proposition 39 school bond requires 55% voter approval to pass. Proposition 39 school bonds prohibit the use of the funds for operations, salaries or pensions. They also require independent financial and performance audits on the use of all bond proceeds. No revenue generated by a local bond can be taken away by the State, and all funds are locally controlled and spent exclusively on LBUSD facilities.
What about the Lottery funding? Wasn’t it supposed to fix our schools?
Unfortunately, restricted Lottery funds can only be used for classroom instruction, not technology or facility upgrades. Moreover, the money our school district receives from the Lottery each year comprises less than 0.4% of our annual General Fund Budget. Lottery funds alone cannot fund the extensive upgrades that our schools need.
Which schools would benefit from Measure C?
Measure C authorizes bond funds to be spent on projects at all sixteen school campuses: one transitional kindergarten center, nine elementary schools (Charleston, Grasslands, Henry Miller, Lorena Falasco, Los Banos, Mercey Springs, Volta, R.M. Miano, and Westside Union), two junior high schools (Los Banos and Creekside), two high schools (Los Banos and Pacheco), one independent study campus (Crossroads), and one continuation high school (San Luis).
Can Measure C help replace the end of life/expiring portables still currently in use at our schools?
Yes. There are 157 portable classrooms at our schools that are more than 20 years old. They are deteriorating and past their useful life. It is more expensive to keep repairing these units than to replace them. Measure C authorizes the use of bond funds to replace these portables with modern, permanent classrooms.
When will the work begin?
If approved by voters, the District would immediately focus on addressing the most critical facilities needs across all school sites. A schedule for funding projects will be developed to ensure completion on time and within budget.
Isn’t there a facilities budget for ongoing school maintenance?
Facilities staff work hard to maintain our neighborhood schools and keep them in good working condition with limited resources. However, the types of upgrades that the District’s current needs assessment has identified go far beyond the scope and means of regular school maintenance budgets.
How can we be assured that Measure C would be spent properly?
If approved by voters, Measure C would require an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, mandatory independent financial audits, and annual reports to the community to ensure the funds are spent as promised. ALL funds raised stay LOCAL to support LBUSD school facility improvements and cannot be taken by the State. None of the money from this measure can be used for salaries, benefits, or pensions for administrators, or any other school employees.
Doesn’t the STATE provide funding for facility upgrades?
While State funding has at times been available to support TK–12 school upgrades, it is unreliable and insufficient to meet the District’s identified needs. Moreover, in order to access State funding, school districts must generate local matching funds. School districts typically provide their local match by passing a local facilities bond.
Will Measure C support student health and safety?
The measure would support our students’ health and safety by improving security systems, fire alarms, and access for students with disabilities.
How does equity factor into the need for a school facilities bond?
Some of our schools have modern classrooms, labs, and educational facilities, but most don’t. This measure will provide funding for improvements to further the goal of ensuring that ALL students have equal access to the classrooms, labs, and facilities they need to succeed.
How does overcrowding impact student education? How will Measure C funding address this?
Crowded schools make it harder for students to learn, reduce amount of time teachers get to spend with students; if adopted, Measure C will provide funding that can be used to construct classrooms, facilities needed to relieve overcrowding in local Los Banos schools.
Have there been other LBUSD school bonds? If so, when was the last bond?
Los Banos Unified School District makes every effort to use taxpayer dollars in a prudent, responsible manner. Measure X, passed in 2018, was the first step in an ongoing effort to upgrade aging and deteriorating Los Banos Unified School District Schools. Thanks to the investment made by our community at that time, local students are now benefiting from improved school facilities to help prepare them for success in college, careers, and in life. However, significant facility improvement needs remain for which the District does not have a funding source, the most notable being repairing and upgrading aging classrooms, roofs, plumbing, technology, and electrical infrastructure; upgrading disabled access; relieving severe overcrowding; and replacing deteriorating portable classrooms.
Who is eligible to vote on Measure C?
All registered voters within the Los Banos Unified School District are eligible to vote on Measure C on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Can I volunteer for the oversight committee?
Yes, once the measure passes, the District will solicit applications from community members to serve on the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
How do I get more specific details?
You can visit the Measure C information portal on the District website or contact the Superintendent’s office directly for more detailed data.