Bond Information

What is Measure U?
Measure U is a school bond measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot seeking voter authorization for Dixon Unified School District (DUSD) funding to make needed facility repairs, technology upgrades, and improvements to school sites. Measure U requires 55% support to pass. A “YES” vote approves funding for the District’s facilities plan; a “NO” vote rejects the plan.

Why has the District placed Measure U on the ballot?
As the local provider of TK-12 public education, DUSD has a set of key priorities: To close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society, and to provide DUSD students with the very best educational setting possible. If approved by voters, Measure U provides funding to begin addressing DUSD facilities and technology needs.

We conducted districtwide facilities assessments in 2024 to understand the condition and capacity of DUSD schools. Today, we have over $200 MILLION in facility needs to repair and modernize aging infrastructure, upgrade classrooms and labs, improve safety,replace aging portable classrooms, and more. Some of our schools were built so long ago (60-70 years old) that our underground clay and cast-iron pipes infrastructure are failing, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups. Last year alone there were 71 roof leaks. Additionally, there are 61 portable classrooms in our schools that are more than 20 years old. Many are falling apart, with structural damage and water leaks that can lead to mold.

What would funds raised by Measure U go towards?

Measure U Project Summary:

• Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes from older school sites, where encountered
• Repair/Replace heating, air conditioning, ventilation units that are at least 20 years old, and failing
• Repair/Replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas lines, sewer lines, HVAC, and electrical systems where needed
• Upgrade older schools so they meet current health codes, building safety codes, and provide proper access for students with disabilities
• Provide modern labs and career technical education facilities and equipment so students are prepared for college and in-demand careers in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology, and skilled trades
• Keep computer systems, instructional technology up-to-date

How much will Measure U cost?
If approved by voters, a $49 million bond translates to about $30 dollars per year for every $100,000 of assessed valuation. The assessed valuation refers to taxable value, not the market value of your home.

What is the actual question that voters will be asked to decide in November?
“To fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, gas, and electrical systems; remove asbestos/lead pipes; and repair/upgrade aging classrooms, science labs, career technology and school facilities to support college/career readiness in math, science, technology, arts, engineering, and skilled trades Shall Dixon Unified School District’s measure authorizing $49,000,000 in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying approximately $30 per $100,000 assessed value ($3,000,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight, independent audits, and all money locally controlled?”

How are DUSD facilities improvements funded?
It has been nearly a decade since our last community-supported school facilities bond. With limited resources, DUSD staff continually work hard to maintain our school facilities and education, and keep them in good working condition for thousands of students and staff members. However, the reality is that the types of repairs, renovations and upgrades we need go far beyond the scope and means of regular school budgets. Passing a local school bond is the most common way California communities fund the upgrades we need.

Are DUSD Schools really that old?
Our schools were built more than 60 years ago and don’t meet modern building safety codes. Some buildings have hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead pipes. We need to remove these hazards from our schools. Some of our schools were built so long ago that underground pipes and infrastructure are failing, resulting in gas leaks, water leaks, and sewage backups. We need to fix these problems. All students deserve to learn in quality classrooms and school facilities. There’s a direct relationship between quality school facilities and student achievement. Studies show that students and teachers perform best in safe, modern classrooms and schools with up-to-date technology.

What is a Proposition 39 school bond measure and what can it pay for?
A Proposition 39 school bond measure can ONLY be used to fund school facility and technology improvements (capital projects - not maintenance or regular repairs). A Proposition 39 school bond requires 55% to pass. Proposition 39 school bonds prohibit the use of the funds for operations, administrator salaries or pensions. It also requires independent financial and performance audits on the use of bond proceeds. No revenue generated by a local bond can be taken away by the State.

I don’t have children or my kids are grown and gone. Why should this matter to me?
Good schools are the foundation of any healthy, thriving community. Good schools make our neighborhoods desirable places to live and support our property values. Studies show that home resale values will benefit as our neighborhood schools are improved. The longer we wait to complete needed upgrades, the more expensive they will become.

Does the District have a Facilities Master Plan?
Our school district values facilities master planning. In March of 2024, we updated our Facilities Master Plan that will guide the needs for each campus. We conducted a full assessment of school facility needs—including classroom structures, student support facilities, school equipment, and infrastructure – at every site.

Isn’t there a facilities budget for ongoing school maintenance?
District staff continues to invest and work hard to maintain our school facilities, and keep them in good working condition with limited resources. However, the reality is that the types of repairs and renovations that our current needs assessment has identified go beyond the scope and means of regular school maintenance budgets.

What about the Lottery funding? Wasn’t it supposed to fix our schools?
Unfortunately, restricted Lottery funds can only be used for classroom instruction, not technology or facility upgrades. Moreover, the money our school district receives from the Lottery each year comprises less than 2% of our annual General Fund Budget. Lottery funds alone cannot fund the extensive upgrades that our schools need.

Which schools would benefit from the bond proposal you are considering?
All seven school campuses: three elementary schools (Anderson, Tremont, and Gretchen Higgins), one middle school (John Knight Middle School), two high schools (Dixon, and Maine Prairie), and one charter school (Dixon Montessori Charter School), will benefit from any revenue raised from Measure U.

Will Measure U help replace the end of life/expiring portables still currently in use at our schools?
Yes. There are 61 portable classrooms at our schools that are more than 20 years old. They are deteriorating and past their useful life. It is more expensive to keep repairing these units than to replace them. We need additional funding to replace these portables with modern, permanent classrooms.

When will the work begin?
If approved by voters, the District will immediately focus on the most critical facilities needs across all school sites. A schedule for funding projects will be developed so they can be completed on time and based on necessity.

How can we be assured that Measure U would be spent properly?
If approved by voters, Measure U would require independent Citizens Oversight and reports to the community to ensure the funds are spent as promised. None of the money from this measure can be used to increase salaries, benefits, or pensions for administrators, or any other school employees.

Doesn’t the STATE provide funding for facility upgrades?
Very little. In general, new funds provided by the State are for instructional programs, NOT capital improvements. Moreover, if the State were to pass a State facility bond, in order to access a share of that funding, school districts MUST generate local matching funds. Typically, a local bond is the BEST way to qualify for additional State funding if and when it becomes available. Unfortunately, other funding source options for major facility upgrades are extremely limited.

Will Measure U support student health and safety?
The measure would support our students’ health and safety to improve security systems, fire alarms, and access for students with disabilities. By funding these upgrades we can ensure our students’ environment is safer both on a day-to-day basis and in case of an emergency.

Will businesses share in the cost of Measure U?
Yes, commercial, industrial, and residential property owners will be subject to the same property tax levy.

How will this bond funding improve instruction?
Safe, modern school facilities are essential to maintaining the quality of education in our local schools. ALL students deserve to learn in quality classrooms and school facilities. Studies show that students and teachers perform best in safe, modern classrooms and schools with up-to-date technology. Unfortunately, our facilities do not match the exceptional teaching and learning happening at our local DUSD schools. Without needed facilities and education technology upgrades, the local quality of education will deteriorate over time. For students to succeed in high school, college, and careers, they must be skilled in the use of today’s technology and have a solid background in science, math, and engineering. Updated classrooms and school facilities will help make this possible.

Have there been other DUSD school bonds? If so, when was the last bond?
Dixon USD makes every effort to use taxpayer dollars in a prudent, responsible manner. Measure Q, passed in 2016, was the first step in an ongoing effort to upgrade aging and deteriorated Dixon Unified School District schools. Thanks to the generosity of our community, local students are now benefiting from improved school facilities to help prepare them for success in college, careers, and in life. However, our schools still need more support. OVER $200 MILLION DOLLARS of facility improvements remain for which the District does not have a funding source, the most notable being improvements to repairing and upgrading aging classrooms, roofs, plumbing, technology, and electrical infrastructure; upgrading disabled access; and installing security systems, fire alarms, and fencing.

How does equity factor into the need for a school facilities bond?
Measure Q (passed in 2016) enabled the District to repair and upgrade several schools. The most visible outcome of which is the conversion of old Dixon High School into new John Knight Middle School. But, the bond did not generate enough revenue to improve all school facilities. Some of our schools have modern classrooms, labs, and educational facilities, but most don’t. This measure will continue to ensure that ALL students have equal access to the classrooms, labs, and facilities they need to succeed.

Who is eligible to vote on Measure U?
All registered voters within the Dixon Unified School District are eligible to vote on Measure U on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

For more information, visit our website at https://www.dixonusd.org/ OR contact: Brett Barley, DUSD Superintendent via email: PGEgaHJlZj0ibWFpbHRvOnN1cGVyaW50ZW5kZW50QGRpeG9udXNkLm9yZyIgdGFyZ2V0PSJfYmxhbmsiIHJlbD0ibm9vcGVuZXIiPnN1cGVyaW50ZW5kZW50QGRpeG9udXNkLm9yZzwvYT4= or phone: (707) 693 - 6300

What is Measure Q?

Measure Q is a General Obligation Bond to generate funding for the Dixon Unified School District for use on projects to improve its facilities.

What is a General Obligation Bond?

A General Obligation Bond is a kind of tax paid by property owners. In short, the District sells bonds to investors to get the money to pay for the projects. Property owners pay the costs of the bonds and interest to those who purchased the bonds through the annual property tax process.

How long does it take to pay the bonds off?

The bonds are paid off in 25 years.

Do a lot of school districts sell bonds to do facility projects?

Yes. Nearly every district in the state, if not all of them, has sold bonds to build or repair campuses.

Has Dixon Unified done this before?

Yes. Measure J generated $29.2 million in 2002 to help pay for the construction of new Dixon High.

What does the District want to do with the money from Measure Q?

Three projects are planned. First, Old Dixon High School will be repaired, renovated, and reopened as a middle school campus for Grades 6-8. Second, Anderson Elementary will be repaired and renovated, improving classrooms, restrooms, food service areas, and electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling systems across campus. Third, Tremont, Gretchen Higgins and Silveyville campuses will receive improvements in safety and security as well as accessibility for the disabled.

How were these identified and selected?

The District completed a detailed Facilities Needs Assessment during the 2015-16 school year and prioritized these projects from among the many that were identified.

Was the public consulted on developing these projects?

Yes. The District advertised and held two special meetings on Saturdays to allow for public input as well as numerous presentations and discussions at our regular Governing Board meetings. District staff and Board members also had extensive consultation with the Solano County Taxpayers Association.

How much money is the District trying to get to do these projects?

The total amount of the bond is $30,400,000. About $15,000,000 would be used at Old Dixon High, $12,000,000 at Anderson, and the rest for the smaller projects at Tremont, Gretchen Higgins, and Silveyville campuses.

How is it decided how much this will cost me personally?

The cost for each property owner depends on the assessed value of their property. The County Assessor determines that figure and our property taxes are based on it. Measure Q has a projected maximum tax rate of $36.75 per $100,000 of assessed value.

So, what will it cost for a typical property in Dixon?

The median-valued home in Dixon was $251,779 in 2015-16. With the maximum tax rate of $36.75 per $100,000 of assessed value the annual cost would be $92.53.

Where can I learn more about this or have more questions answered?

Contact Dixon Unified at (707) 693-6300, check our website at dixonusd.org, or the Dixon Unified Facebook page.