What does a YES vote on San Mateo-Foster City School District Measure W mean?

San Mateo-Foster City School District could issue $498,000,000 in bonds to improve classrooms, replace roofs, windows and safety systems, and provide affordable housing for teachers and staff, repaid by a property tax of $29 per $100,000 of assessed value (about $35,000,000 a year on average).

What does a NO vote on San Mateo-Foster City School District Measure W mean?

San Mateo-Foster City School District would not issue these $498,000,000 in bonds, and the related property tax would not be levied.

How many votes does San Mateo-Foster City School District Measure W need to pass?

A 55% supermajority: at least 55 out of every 100 YES and NO votes must be YES, so a measure can get a majority and still fail.

Should I vote yes or no on San Mateo-Foster City School District Measure W?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

San Mateo-Foster City School District Measure W — Bond Measure

Last updated Sun, Nov 8, 3:15 AM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Only voters in this district

What it does: To improve elementary and middle school classrooms for skilled trades, science, technology, engineering, and math; replace leaky roofs, old windows, fire alarms and emergency communications systems; provide affordable housing to attract/retain quality teachers/staff; acquire, construct, repair facilities, equipment, sites; shall San Mateo-Foster City School District’s measure be adopted, authorizing $498,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, levying $29 per $100,000 assessed value, averaging $35,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, with audits, independent oversight, and funds used locally?
A YES vote means: San Mateo-Foster City School District could issue $498,000,000 in bonds to improve classrooms, replace roofs, windows and safety systems, and provide affordable housing for teachers and staff, repaid by a property tax of $29 per $100,000 of assessed value (about $35,000,000 a year on average).
A NO vote means: San Mateo-Foster City School District would not issue these $498,000,000 in bonds, and the related property tax would not be levied.
Needed to pass: A 55% supermajority: at least 55 out of every 100 YES and NO votes must be YES, so a measure can get a majority and still fail.
Left–right lean: Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Only on your ballot if you live in the San Mateo-Foster City School District.

Background

The San Mateo-Foster City School District Board of Trustees proposes this measure to authorize up to $498 million in bonds, which needs 55% of the vote, according to the impartial analysis.

The District's best estimate is an average tax of $29.00 per $100,000 of assessed value, lasting until about fiscal year 2054-55, with approximately $900 million repaid in total including interest.

The project list includes skilled-trades shop classes, science and technology labs, roof and window replacement, fire alarms and emergency communications, affordable housing to attract and retain teachers and staff, accessibility and school safety; bond money cannot pay teacher or administrator salaries, and a citizens' oversight committee and annual audits are required.

Put on the ballot by San Mateo-Foster City School District Board of Trustees (2026).

From official source.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on San Mateo-Foster City School District Measure W mean?: San Mateo-Foster City School District could issue $498,000,000 in bonds to improve classrooms, replace roofs, windows and safety systems, and provide affordable housing for teachers and staff, repaid by a property tax of $29 per $100,000 of assessed value (about $35,000,000 a year on average).
What does a NO vote on San Mateo-Foster City School District Measure W mean?: San Mateo-Foster City School District would not issue these $498,000,000 in bonds, and the related property tax would not be levied.
How many votes does San Mateo-Foster City School District Measure W need to pass?: A 55% supermajority: at least 55 out of every 100 YES and NO votes must be YES, so a measure can get a majority and still fail.
Should I vote yes or no on San Mateo-Foster City School District Measure W?: SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?: The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the San Mateo County ballot.

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