— The San Diego school district is poised to ask voters to support a $2.8 billion bond measure in November, a property tax that would generate revenue for campus renovations and technology upgrades while offering relief to its strapped general fund.

Superintendent Bill Kowba has urged the school board to vote for the bond at today’s meeting. Getting the initiative on the ballot would cost the San Diego Unified School District $500,000 to $1 million, depending on whether the voter pamphlet summarizes the massive fix-it list or includes an inventory of projects by campus.

The district’s last two bonds extended tax rates that continued generating $66.70 per $100,000 assessed value of property through 2044. The proposed bond would raise property taxes $60 per $100,000 assessed valuation for about 30 years. For example, someone with a home valued at $500,000 would pay $300 a year in additional taxes should the bond pass with the minimum 55 percent of the vote.

Proponents have stressed that the bond’s proceeds would provide a stable source of funding for the district.

In addition to the projects outlined in the bond, each school would get $200 per student in discretionary funds. Charter schools would get their pro-rata share of the bond money — about $350 million in projects.

The bond money would be overseen by an independent oversight committee and would be subject to annual financial audits. Bond revenue cannot be used for teacher or administrator salaries.

The school board will also decide whether a new bond should operate under the same labor rules that apply to the 2008 voter-approved Proposition S. The construction industry largely opposes such Project Labor Agreements, which require contractors who bid for major projects to hire from union halls.



