Question 1

What is Measure S?

Accepted Answer

Measure S will provide dedicated, locally controlled funding to upgrade local school facilities to support quality education in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) schools without raising taxes. Urgent repairs and upgrades are needed to keep students safe and prepare students for success in college and careers.

Question 2

How are Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District schools doing?

Accepted Answer

FSUSD schools offer high-quality educational opportunities for local students. Dedicated parents, community members, teachers, and staff come together to support our students and prepare them for success. Our diverse community coupled with FSUSD’s proven track record of academic excellence makes our schools the pride of our community.

Question 3

Why should I vote Yes on Measure S if I don’t have kids in school?

Accepted Answer

Measure S presents a unique opportunity to fund critical upgrades to local schools without increasing tax rates. Good schools are a part of what makes our community a great place to live, whether or not you have school-aged children. Quality schools make for a strong community, protecting property values and enhancing our quality of life. When our schools succeed, local kids succeed and we all succeed.

Question 4

Why do we need Measure S now?

Accepted Answer

Most FSUSD schools were built 40 to 70 years ago and are in need of desperate repairs and upgrades. Leaky roofs and deteriorating portable classrooms, gas lines, plumbing, and outdated electrical systems need to be replaced. Measure S will provide the funds needed to complete urgent repairs, and modernizations.

Question 5

What sort of basic repairs and safety upgrades will Measure S fund?

Accepted Answer

Measure S will complete the basic repairs needed to keep schools safe and functioning. That includes repairing or replacing leaky roofs, removing hazardous materials, updating school security and fire safety systems, and making classrooms earthquake safe and accessible for students with disabilities. Students should focus on lessons in the classroom, not health and safety concerns.

Question 6

Will Measure S also support 21st-century instructional methods?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Measure S will fund critical updates to classrooms, labs, career training facilities, and instructional technology and science labs to prepare students to compete at top colleges and in today’s competitive global economy, for careers in health, engineering, and skilled trades.

Question 7

What specific priority repairs and improvements will Measure S support?

Accepted Answer

Measure S will address high-priority facility needs identified in Fairfield-Suisun USD’s detailed School Facilities Master Plan, including:
Repairing or replace leaky roofs
Improving access to schools for students with disabilities
Providing modern labs, career training facilities, and equipment to prepared students for college and in-demand careers in health sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades
Updating classrooms and technology to support high-quality instruction in math, science, engineering, and technology
Removing hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes from schools 
Improving school security, fire, and earthquake safety

Question 8

How can we guarantee that Measure S will be spent as promised?

Accepted Answer

Measure S includes strict mandatory fiscal accountability requirements to ensure that all funds are spent as promised and every penny benefits Fairfield-Suisun schools only.
An independent citizens’ oversight committee, annual audits, public spending disclosure, and detailed project list ensure funds are spent as promised
All funds must be used locally and no funds can be taken by the State
No funds can be used for administrator or teacher salaries or benefits
Tax rates will not increase above what we already pay

Question 9

How much will Measure S cost?

Accepted Answer

Measure S will generate $249.6 million in locally controlled funding entirely dedicated to upgrading and maintaining our local schools. It would cost about 4¢ per $100 of assessed (not market) value annually. Because Measure S is based on the assessed value of properties and not their current market value, the cost will be significantly lower for long-time homeowners.

Question 10

Does FSUSD have a strong track record of sound fiscal management?

Accepted Answer

FSUSD has a long history of fiscal responsibility and using taxpayer money carefully and responsibly with the record to prove it. Independent citizens’ oversight has consistently confirmed the proper use of voter-approved funding, and the District has been diligent in negotiating the best deals for any new construction projects.

Question 11

Didn’t we just pass Measure J? Why do we need this?

Accepted Answer

In 2016, Fairfield-Suisun voters passed Measure J to fund the initial phase of repairs and upgrades called for in the District’s Facility Master Plan. It was always known that Measure J would not be sufficient to fund all of the identified needs. Improvements to plumbing, roofs, electrical systems, Career Technical Education facilities, and STEM labs, while completed at many schools, weren’t done at all the schools. Measure S funds the next phase of upgrades without increasing tax rates. This will help bring more local schools and classrooms up to modern health, safety and instructional standards.

Question 12

What was accomplished from Measure J?

Accepted Answer

Measure J funds have been put to good use addressing asbestos abatement, earthquake safety, fire safety, and replacement of lead pipes in existing buildings as needed. Examples of sites updated to address health and safety concerns using Measure J funds include:
●      Entire campus at Fairview Elementary
●      Entire campus at Sheldon Academy of Innovative Learning 
●      Four classrooms and a library at KI Jones Elementary 
●      Restrooms at Oakbrook Academy of the Arts
●      Sixteen classrooms, front office, staff lounge, offices, kitchen, and a library at Sullivan Immersion Academy
●      Seven classrooms and a kitchen at Tolenas Academy of Music & Media
●      Two classrooms and a library at Grange Middle 
●      Three classrooms and a kitchen at Fairfield High

For a complete list of all construction projects visit, fusd.org/projects.

Question 13

Were all Measure J projects completed?

Accepted Answer

The Measure J project list was revised and prioritized over time as needs and costs evolved. The project list was adapted to best utilize funds and maximize the most efficient allocation of funds. The final Measure J project list was approved by the Governing Board on August 22, 2019. Everything on the list was completed with the exception ofthe projects at Anna Kyle Elementary and the Public Safety Academy. The unfinished projects would be the first two projects funded with the passage of Measure S.

Question 14

Weren’t new athletic facilities and performing arts projects built with Measure J funds?

Accepted Answer

Measure J allowed the District to fund necessary modernizations projects for asbestos abatement, earthquake safety, fire safety and replacement of led pipes. The District prioritized projects that were important to the health and safety of its students and helped prepare our children to succeed into the future. The poor state of our athletic facilities were a safety hazard to students and the performing arts projects were designed to meet and expand the growing Career Technical Education (CTE) programs needed.

Question 15

Where are the citizen oversight committee reports from Measure J?

Accepted Answer

To find the full reports issued by the Citizens’ Oversight Committee from Measure J visit https://www.fsusd.org/Page/16403.

Question 16

Are there additional funding needs beyond Measure S?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The current remaining estimated cost of all facility needs in Fairfield-Suisun schools is approximately $700 million. Measure S will allow the District to address the most urgent needs across the District. While Measure S does not fund the full estimated costs outlined in the Facilities Master Plan it is a crucial, necessary step to ensure our students are receiving a high-quality education. School improvements cost a lot and the current cost of construction is estimated at $800 per square foot. FSUSD is the largest school district in the County with over 30 schools. To view our Facilities Mast Plan and learn more about the District’s funding needs, visit www.fsusd.org/Page/16519.

Question 17

Will the District come back and ask for another bond in a few years?

Accepted Answer

FSUSD is a vital part of our community. Our schools partner with the community to make sure Fairfield-Suisun schools are provided the best possible education to local students. The District listens to the community and relies on the community to support local students and improve our schools. This bond will fund the most pressing facility needs and improvements, but it will not be able to address all the needs in the District.

Question 18

Does Measure S raise taxes?

Accepted Answer

Measure S does not increase your taxes. Measure C is schedule to be paid off in 2028 and Measure J is scheduled to be paid off in 2046. Passing Measure S would simply extend the current rate to 2056. Measure S provides the unique opportunity for our community to reinvest in our schools without changing your current tax rate. While the tax rate is extended, it does not change the rate you are paying year to year.

Question 19

Who gets to vote on Measure S? How many votes are needed to win?

Accepted Answer

All voters registered in FSUSD are eligible to vote on the measure. To be approved, Measure S requires Yes votes from 55% of the votes cast on the measure.

Question 20

When can I vote Yes on Measure S?

Accepted Answer

Measure S will be on the November 8, 2022, ballot, but all California voters will now receive a ballot in the mail the week on October 10. Once you receive your ballot, vote Yes on S, sign and seal the envelope and mail it back right away. No postage is required. Mail ballots must be postmarked by November 8, 2022. The County will also offer in-person voting centers on and before Election Day and many polling places will be open from 7am-8pm on November 8.

Question 21

How can I register to vote or learn more about voting?

Accepted Answer

You can register to vote at www.registertovote.ca.gov. To find out more about voting in this election, please contact the Solano County Registrar of Voters at (707) 784-6675 or visit solanocounty.com/depts/rov.

Question 22

How can I get involved or learn more about Measure S?

Accepted Answer

Our campaign is a grassroots organization of parents, teachers and other community leaders dedicated to passing Measure S for Fairfield-Suisun students. Some ways you can help pass Measure S include volunteering some time to spread the word about Measure S, putting up a lawn sign, or adding your name to our list of Measure S public supporters!

Frequently Asked Questions About Measure S