School Facility Funding Inequities: An Assessment of California

This study examines California’s facility funding formula and assesses how the current state system facilitates meeting annual investment standards in facility stewardship and upkeep. It uses statistical methods to quantify the total square footage of school facilities and calculates the current replacement value (CRV). The analysis adheres to industry standard benchmarks of 3 percent of CRV for maintenance and operation (M&O) and 4 percent of CRV for capital renewal. The results indicate that California school districts fail to adequately and equitably invest in school facility upkeep, leaving more than half of the students attending subpar school facilities. Additionally, they find that nearly forty percent of school districts lack enough taxable property wealth to raise capital funds. Looking ahead, educational leaders must prioritize equalizing school facility funding formulas to reduce educational funding inequities between school districts.