FAQ | Vote Yes on H

What is Measure H?

While academic achievement in BOUSD schools is strong, each day over 6,000 Brea students in preschool through high school attend deteriorating classrooms, science labs and school facilities that need urgent repairs and upgrades. Specifically, Brea Junior High, which is attended by all Brea Olinda Unified School District students, is over 100 years old and needs critical and urgent improvements. Voting Yes on H will provide locally controlled funding to repair and upgrade our local Brea schools.

Why do we need Measure H?

Some BOUSD schools were built more than 100 years ago, and many classrooms, labs, and school facilities have not been upgraded in 20 years. For example, local schools have 48 portable classrooms that are more than 25 years old, exceed their expected lifespan, and are falling apart with structural damage and water leaks. Other school facilities were built so long ago that they don't meet today's earthquake safety standards, have asbestos and lead pipes, and the underground infrastructure is failing, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups. These issues disrupt learning and impact safety and quality education for local students.

How are students in Brea schools performing academically?

Student achievement in BOUSD’s award-winning schools is among the highest in Orange County and more than 90% of local high school graduates are college-bound. Quality education in local schools prepares students for success in college and careers. The strong reputation for Brea schools creates demand for homes in our community, which strengthens our home values. We need Measure H so our aging and deteriorating school buildings do not diminish the quality of education in our schools.

Shouldn’t the State fund school facility improvements?

The State does not provide dedicated funding to repair and upgrade facilities, so voters must approve school improvement bond measures to fund repairs and upgrades. This is how repairs and upgrades to facilities are funded in all school districts, including our neighboring school districts. BOUSD is one of only two school districts in Orange County that has not approved a bond measure to improve local schools in the last 25 years. We need Measure H so Brea students stay competitive and don’t fall behind. These improvements are long overdue and waiting will only make these repairs more expensive to complete.

Specifically, what types of projects will Measure H fund?

Measure H will provide locally controlled funding to:

Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead
Upgrade schools to meet current health, building, and safety codes
Improve access for students with disabilities
Provide up-to-date classrooms and labs to maintain a competitive advantage in science, technology, math, and engineering to prepare students for college and in-demand careers
Replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation, gas, sewer, and electrical systems
Improve student safety and campus security, including fencing, cameras, emergency communications, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers

Can the State take away funds from Measure H?

No. All funds from Measure H must stay local to repair and upgrade Brea schools only.

How can I be sure Measure H funds will be spent properly?

Measure H requires mandatory fiscal accountability protections. An independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee and annual audits will help ensure funds are spent properly. By law, all funds must be locally controlled to repair and upgrade BOUSD schools only. No Measure H funds can be taken by the State or used for employee salaries or benefits.

How will funds from Measure H be allocated?

BOUSD’s top priority for Measure H funds is the upgrade of Brea Junior High, which is over 100 years old and is attended by all BOUSD students. The next priority is completing identified improvements at Falcon Academy of Science and Technology as well as improvements to Brea Olinda High School. These priorities were established based on the severity and urgency of the needs at each school. Because the final cost of completing these projects is only an estimate until the work is put out to bid, these priorities will allow funds to be allocated as projects are completed.

What if I don't have children in local schools?

Even if you do not have children who attend BOUSD, supporting quality education is a wise investment. Great local schools help improve the quality of life in our community and protect the value of our homes.

Will Measure H help BOUSD qualify for state matching funds?

The State of California makes matching funds available for school facility improvement projects. However, these funds are only available to school districts that can provide a local match. In some cases, the State will put in $2 for every $1 we contribute locally. Measure H would provide the local match needed to help BOUSD qualify for state funding. Without local matching funds, state funding will go to improve schools in other communities.

Isn’t there a statewide bond on the ballot also?

Yes, Prop 2 is on the ballot statewide to create a pool of funds available to local school districts to repair and upgrade local school facilities. Local school districts like BOUSD can only access these state matching funds if they have local matching funds from a local bond measure like Measure H. Voting Yes on H will provide the local matching funds our Brea schools needs to compete for our fair share of state matching money that will improve our schools at no additional cost to local taxpayers. Without Measure H, this state funding will go to improve schools in other communities. Prop 2 does not increase taxes. State bonds are repaid from state taxes we already pay.

What’s the difference between funding from a bond measure and the school district budget?

The District budget covers day-to-day operational costs like salaries, supplies, and utilities, funded mostly by the State with some federal and local sources. A bond measure is voter-approved and funds school infrastructure projects, including safety repairs and upgrades to buildings and technology, through borrowed money repaid by property taxes.

Haven’t we already passed a bond measure?

The last bond measure approved by voters in BOUSD was in 1999. It has been 25 years since the last significant investment in our local schools. Since then, BOUSD has attempted three bond measures that were not approved by voters, and BOUSD remains one of only two school districts in Orange County that has not passed a bond measure in the last 25 years.

How much funding does Measure H provide? How much will it cost an average single-family home?

Measure H would generate $160 million in locally controlled funding to repair and upgrade aging local schools at a cost of $39 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value of properties. This would cost the typical Brea homeowner approximately $229 per year.

What’s the difference between a property's assessed value and its current market value?

Bond measures are funded based on the assessed value of properties, which is calculated using the original purchase price as a baseline and subject to a maximum annual increase of 2%. Market value tends to appreciate at a faster pace, influenced by various market factors. As a result, the assessed value of a property is typically much lower than the current market value, especially for homes acquired many years ago at a lower purchase price.

Who can vote on Measure H?

All registered voters residing within the boundaries of Brea Olinda Unified School District will be eligible to vote on Measure H during the November 5, 2024 election.

How do I register to vote?

If you need to register to vote, please visit https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

How many votes does Measure H need to pass?

Measure H must be supported by 55% of those who vote on the measure to pass.

Who supports Measure H?

Measure H is supported by Brea’s teachers, parent organizations, local elected leaders, business leaders, longtime residents, and others.

Measure H FAQ