State to Launch $4 Billion Bond Sale

By Jeff Hudson and Dennis L. Dunston - March 4, 2010

California plans to offer some $4 billion in general obligation bonds during March – despite the ongoing budget problems that have tied up state government in Sacramento during the past year.

For the past few months, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer has been held back on bond offerings while California struggled to close a $20-billion budget gap.

In response to California’s ongoing red ink saga, the credit ratings firm Standard & Poor’s cut the state’s credit grade by one more notch during January, to A-minus from A...

Districts Should Consider Their Options

State Allocation Board Cuts Per-Pupil Grants, Which May Affect Developer Fees for Schools

By Vern Weber - February 12, 2010

In January of every year, the State Allocation Board (SAB) adjusts School Facility Program per pupil grants.  In January of even-numbered years, the SAB also adjusts the maximum Level 1 developer fees that a school district may levy on new projects.

The adjustments usually result in increases in the developer fees. But this year is different, and the impact on developer fees could be significant...

SAB & Implementation Committee Update:

OPSC Head Rob Cook Steps Down, Other Topics Mulled by SAB Implementation Committee

By Dennis L. Dunston - February 12, 2010

Rob Cook has stepped down as the executive director of the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC).

That announcement, as well as several other items, came out of last Thursday’s meeting of the State Allocation Board Implementation Committee.

The chair of the Implementation Committee, Lisa Kaplan, announced that Cook is moving on...

State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Calls for New School Bond at School Facilities Hearing

December 18, 2009

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell testified Tuesday at a hearing held by the Senate Select Committee on School Facilities. At the hearing he cited the need for a new school bond to meet the needs of California students in the 21st century.

“We speak often about preparing our children for the future, but achieving this goal will only increase in difficulty if our kids continue to learn in schools of the past,” O’Connell said...

SB 334, Progress for Special Education Facilities Funding

By Dennis L. Dunston - November 6, 2009

Recently the Governor signed into law SB 334, which calls for increased funding to school districts for special education facilities.  This legislation is a major milestone toward providing quality educational facilities for students with exceptional needs.

Prior to 1998, school facilities were funded on a square foot per student basis.  Special education facilities were listed in the Education Code as severe or non-severe, and further broken down into classifications corresponding to the provisions of Ed Code section 56026...