California School Bonds, November 2026: Early Results and What Comes Next

By Matt Banes · 38 years in commercial modular buildings · Published November 5, 2026 · Results still being counted

Votes are still being counted. The numbers in this article are early, unofficial election-night and next-day results reported November 3–4, 2026. California counts mail ballots for weeks, and close school bonds can flip either way. We will update this page as counties certify their final results.

California voters decided dozens of local school construction bonds on November 3, 2026, and most of the largest measures are leading. There was no statewide K-12 school facilities bond on this ballot, so the new money for classrooms will come from local district bonds, matched where possible by the $8.5 billion for K-12 schools that voters approved in Proposition 2 in 2024. San Diego Unified's $3.5 billion Measure M had 64.9% yes in early returns, and Pasadena City College's $485 million Measure UP had 73.6%. A local school bond needs 55% to pass, and several measures are within a point or two of that line. Even when a bond passes, permanent buildings usually take years to plan, approve and build, so many districts will need interim classroom space in the meantime.

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Key takeaways

Local school bonds were on ballots across California, including 14 districts in Los Angeles County and nine measures in San Diego County.
Most of the largest measures are leading comfortably. San Diego Unified's Measure M and Pasadena City College's Measure UP are well above 55%, and Inglewood Unified's $396 million Measure MM is leading.
Several bonds are close to the 55% line, including Gilroy Unified's $295 million Measure M (51.6%) and Sylvan Union's Measure N (54.1%).
No statewide K-12 school construction bond was on the ballot. Proposition 2 (2024) is still the state's matching-fund source, and much of it has not been allocated yet.
Results will not be final for weeks. Los Angeles County is scheduled to certify by November 27.
Passing a bond starts a multi-year process. Districts that need seats sooner usually add interim portable classrooms or choose permanent modular buildings to shorten the schedule.

Which school bonds were on the November 2026 ballot?

Under Proposition 39, most California school bonds need 55% of the vote. Districts in nearly every region put measures before voters. A few examples:

Los Angeles County: 14 districts had school bonds, including Inglewood Unified (Measure MM, $396 million), Pasadena Area Community College District (Measure UP, $485 million), Temple City Unified (TCS, $146 million), Bellflower Unified (SM, $135 million), El Rancho Unified (ED, $118 million), Hawthorne (HH, $110 million), Glendora Unified (G, $86 million), Claremont Unified (CS, $77 million), Charter Oak Unified (S, $75 million), Keppel Union (K, $27 million) and Valle Lindo (R, $9.2 million) (NBC Los Angeles).
San Diego County: nine school bond measures, from $9 million at Julian Union High School District to $3.5 billion at San Diego Unified (NBC San Diego).
San Bernardino County: school bonds for San Bernardino City Unified (Z), Upland Unified (A), Beaumont Unified (B), San Bernardino Community College District (Y) and Barstow Community College District (C) (San Bernardino County Elections).
Central Valley and Bay Area: Modesto City Schools' $250 million bond, Sylvan Union's Measure N and Gilroy Unified's $295 million Measure M, among others.

What do the early results show?

The chart below shows a sample of measures with published early returns. Green bars are above the 55% needed to pass, amber bars are close to it, and gray bars are trailing.

Early, unofficial yes percentages as reported November 3–4, 2026. Bars start at 0%.

Outside the chart, Modesto City Schools' $250 million bond appeared to be winning handily on election night (Modesto Bee via Yahoo News), and Inglewood Unified's Measure MM was leading by a wide margin (Decision Desk HQ). Gilroy's Measure M had 51.57% yes at 11:10 p.m. on election night, short of the 55% it needs (Gilroy Dispatch).

When will the results be final?

Not for several weeks. Most Californians vote by mail, and ballots postmarked by Election Day can still arrive and be counted after it. In past elections, bond measures often were not certified as passed until more than a month after election night (The Bond Buyer). Los Angeles County is scheduled to certify its results by Friday, November 27 (LAist). A measure sitting at 53% or 54% today can still cross 55%, or a measure at 56% can slip under it.

Was there a statewide school bond this year?

No. The 14 statewide propositions on the November 3 ballot included housing bonds and tax measures, but no K-12 school facilities bond (California Secretary of State). Proposition 3, which makes the existing tax on high earners permanent, was approved, according to the Associated Press as reported by KQED. That money mostly supports school operating budgets, not construction.

The state money for school buildings still comes from Proposition 2, the $10 billion bond voters approved in 2024, which set aside $8.5 billion for K-12 schools. As of April 29, 2026, the State Allocation Board had allocated $1.3 billion to 325 modernization and new construction projects, about 15% of the K-12 share (LAist). The state's workload list in May 2026 held about $3.46 billion in projects waiting for funding (CASH). Districts that just passed local bonds can apply for state matching funds, but they will be joining a long line.

How long until a bond turns into new classrooms?

Longer than most voters expect. Bonds are sold in series, projects are designed, and in California every public school building must go through Division of the State Architect (DSA) plan review under the Field Act before construction contracts can be awarded. One district's planning documents put the time from the start of program planning to the start of construction at about 18 months (City of San Leandro). The Legislative Analyst's Office reported a median DSA review of 111 days for both new construction and modernization (LAO).

Every project is different, but planning, state review and construction stack up to years, not months.

In my experience, the districts that get the most out of a new bond are the ones that plan for housing students during construction at the same time they plan the permanent buildings. Swing space is often the line item that gets left off the first project list, and it is much harder to add after the schedule is set.

What are the options for classroom space while bond projects move forward?

Many bond programs use all three: leased portables for swing space, owned relocatables across phases, and modular for permanent buildings.

For costs, sizes and lease-versus-buy questions on interim classrooms, see our portable classrooms guide and should you rent or buy a modular classroom. For permanent buildings, see modular school construction: the complete guide. Portables also have their own safety requirements, covered in portable classroom tie-downs and portable classroom lockdown.

What should a district do right after its bond passes?

Wait for certification before committing. Close measures can change. Planning can start, but contracts should wait for the final count.
Confirm the project list. Bond money can be spent only on the projects described in the measure, and the citizens' oversight committee will review spending.
Apply for state matching funds early. Proposition 2 money is allocated through the Office of Public School Construction, and other projects are already waiting.
Plan swing space with the permanent buildings. Decide where students go during each construction phase, and budget the site work and utilities for interim classrooms.
Compare delivery methods. Permanent modular, site-built and hybrid approaches have different schedules, and the choice affects how long interim space is needed.

FAQ

Did California pass a statewide school bond in November 2026?

No. There was no statewide K-12 school facilities bond on the November 3, 2026 ballot. State matching money for school construction still comes from Proposition 2, the $10 billion bond approved in 2024.

What percentage does a California school bond need to pass?

Most local school bonds are Proposition 39 bonds and need 55% yes. Bonds placed under the older rules need two-thirds.

When will the November 2026 school bond results be final?

Counties certify results in the weeks after the election. Los Angeles County is scheduled to certify by November 27, 2026. Until then, close measures can still change.

How long after a bond passes do new classrooms open?

Usually several years. Planning, bond sales, design, Division of the State Architect review and construction all take time. One district estimates about 18 months from the start of planning to the start of construction.

Can school bond money pay for portable or modular classrooms?

Bond money can be spent only on the projects listed in the measure. Many project lists include constructing, acquiring or replacing classrooms, which can include modular buildings. Check your district's measure text and ask bond counsel before you plan on it.

Sources

About the author

Matt Banes has spent 38 years in the commercial modular building industry, including more than a decade at Williams Scotsman. He is president of iModular.com, where he values and inspects modular buildings. SchoolFacilities.com is an independent resource. We solve school space needs.