FAQs | Measure P

Frequently Asked Questions

How are our Belmont-Redwood Shores schools doing?

Belmont-Redwood Shores School District (BRSSD) provides local elementary and middle school students with a world-class education thanks to dedicated teachers and staff. BRSSD’s commitment to the community ensures students are prepared for high school, college and careers.

Why do we need Measure P?

Upgrades and repairs have been made to our schools in recent years, however needed improvements and updates remain. Experts have identified critical safety repairs as part of a comprehensive Facilities Master Planning process. That is why the BRSSD Board of Trustees placed Measure P on the November 2024 ballot to provide $171 million of locally controlled funding for BRSSD schools.

Additional funding is needed to fix leaky roofs, repair plumbing and sewage systems, update classroom technology, and complete safety upgrades across all school sites.

BRSSD has been a good steward of taxpayer dollars and has refinanced previous bonds to save taxpayers $20 million. The State does not provide funding for facilities, so local schools can’t maintain quality educational programs without locally controlled, voter-approved funding.

How will Measure P funds be used?

Measure P protects our tradition of academic excellence and ensures students continue receiving the high-quality education they deserve.

Measure P helps ensure that facilities support core academic programs in science, technology, reading, writing, art, music, and math. Funding from Measure P will be used to:

Replace aging technology infrastructure for 21st-century learning, including for science, engineering, and math classrooms and labs
Provide updated equipment for classrooms
Upgrade, replace, or repair old roofs, heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems
Update safety and security systems at school sites

How do I know Measure P funds will be spent wisely?

Measure P requires the same strict accountability protections as past measures, including:

All funds will be controlled locally for our elementary and middle schools only and cannot be taken away by the State
An independent citizens' oversight committee and mandatory annual audits will ensure all funds are spent as promised
A detailed project list outlining the specific use of funds will be required

How much will Measure P cost?

Measure P is estimated to cost $29 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year. Assessed value is determined by the San Mateo County Assessor and is often much closer to the original purchase price of the home than to the current market value.

Will all Measure P funds benefit our local schools?

Yes. All funds will be locally controlled and benefit BRSSD elementary and middle schools only. No funding can be taken by the State or used for other purposes.

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, while the market value tends to grow at a much faster rate based on market conditions.

Thus, the assessed value is usually much lower than the market value, especially if a property was purchased long ago. It is this lower assessed value upon which the cost of a bond measure is based.

Are senior exemptions available?

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.

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

Even if you do not have school-age children, funding for education helps improve the quality of life in our community and protects local property values.

When will I be able to vote on Measure P?

Measure P will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot. All registered voters living in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District will be eligible to vote on the measure..

What level of support will Measure P need to pass?

Measure P must be supported by 55% of those who vote on it in order to pass.

How can I register to vote?

You can register to vote at www.registertovote.ca.gov. To learn more about voting,

please contact the San Mateo County Registrar of Voters at (650) 312-5222 or visit smcacre.gov/elections.

Learn More about Voting Yes on P!

Learn more about voting in San Mateo County

Learn more about Belmont-Redwood Shores School District’s Facilities Master Plan HERE