Measure D: Measure D – Rocklin Unified School District
Rocklin Unified School District · Placer County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
To upgrade, renovate, modernize and expand classrooms, schools, and career technical education buildings; repair/ replace leaky roofs and outdated heating/ cooling systems; and make safety/ security improvements with no projected tax rate increase, shall Rocklin Unified School District's measure authorizing $288,000,000 of bonds at legal rates be adopted, generating on average $15,800,000 annually while bonds are outstanding at approximate rates of $59 per $100,000 assessed value, with audits, citizens' oversight, no money for salaries and funds staying local?
In plain language
Measure D is a bond measure for Rocklin Unified School District. A YES vote lets the district borrow $288,000,000 by selling bonds. The money would upgrade, renovate, and expand classrooms, schools, and career technical education buildings. It would fix leaky roofs and old heating and cooling systems. It would pay for safety upgrades. A NO vote means the district does not get this money, and the projects do not happen. The measure states the current tax rate is not expected to rise. The money cannot be used for salaries.
Fiscal impact
The bonds would raise about $15,800,000 a year on average while outstanding. The rate would be about $59 per $100,000 of assessed value. The current tax rate would not go up.
Impartial analysis
This measure would authorize the sale of general obligation bonds by the Rocklin Unified School District (the “District”) in the aggregate principal amount of $288,000,000. Bond proceeds would be used to finance school facility projects within the District as described in the text of the measure. The project list includes potential for improvements at Rocklin, Victory, and Whitney high schools, Spring View and Granite Oaks middle schools, the Rocklin Alternative Education Center, and other school facilities. Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid from a tax placed on taxable property within the District. The District’s estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to fund this bond issuance is $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation and is estimated to be collected until fiscal year 2062-2063. A general obligation bond is a form of borrowing commonly used to fund school facilities. By law, local general obligation bonds financed through an increase in local property taxes can be used for renovating, reconstructing, and building new facilities and for acquiring certain new equipment. To authorize the bond issuance, state law requires the District to implement accountability measures, including: • to use bond proceeds only for the school facilities projects described in the measure and not for teacher or administrator salaries or other operating expenses; • to appoint an independent citizens’ oversight committee in accordance with Education Code section 15278 to review expenditures of bond proceeds; • to conduct annual independent financial and performance audits to ensure that the bond proceeds are expended only for the projects in the ballot measure; and • to prepare annual reports regarding the expenditure of bond proceeds. This measure was placed on the ballot by the governing board of the District through adoption of Resolution No. 25-26-43 on June 10, 2026. Approval by 55% of the voters voting on the measure is required for its adoption. A “YES” vote on this Measure would authorize the Rocklin Unified School District to borrow money through the sale of bonds in an amount not exceeding $288,000,000, to be repaid from revenues generated by an annual tax levied on taxable property within the District. A “NO” vote on this Measure is a vote against authorizing the District to issue the proposed general obligation bonds. This analysis is submitted by the Office of the County Counsel of the County of Placer pursuant to the requirements of Section 9500 of the Elections Code of the State of California. Clayton T. Cook, County Counsel
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
Argument in favor
Vote Yes on D to support quality education in Rocklin Unified School District WITHOUT INCREASING EXISTING TAX RATES. Rocklin-Unified-School-District has been educating generations of Rocklin families for 160 years. Today, many schools are old. The District has exhausted its resources for major upgrades and renovations to our schools, leaving many classrooms and school facilities outdated and in need of improvements. Without increasing existing tax rates, Measure D will upgrade and renovate schools in the District to better educate local children and provide a safe learning environment. Measure D will fund projects to support current and future education programs that ensure all students receive the college preparation and career training they need to compete for good-paying jobs. Voting YES on D will also qualify our schools to receive $82 million in state matching funds, bringing taxpayer dollars back to Rocklin. Vote Yes on D to: • Expand and modernize career technical education (CTE) facilities to prepare students for future careers • Repair or replace leaky roofs and deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems • Make health, safety, and security improvements throughout Rocklin Unified School District classrooms and campuses • Replace outdated heating and air-conditioning systems and inadequate electrical systems • Construct new classrooms to replace outdated portable classrooms Measure D has taxpayer safeguards: • Will not increase existing tax rates • Independent citizens’ oversight and annual audits • All funds stay local and must be spent on RUSD classrooms and school facilities • Funds cannot be spent on teachers’, staff or administrators’ salaries, benefits or pensions Good schools benefit us all. They improve property values, provide a better learning environment for students, increase safety, and educate tomorrow’s community leaders and service providers. Join parents, teachers, local elected officials, and leaders and vote YES on D to support outstanding education in Rocklin schools. — Paul Ruhkala, 60-Year Rocklin Resident; Nicole Smith, Rocklin Unified Parent; Davis Stewart, Retired Rocklin Principal; Julie Hupp, President, Rocklin School Board; Scott Yuill, Former Rocklin Mayor
Measure D is not “free money,” and voters deserve to understand what they are approving. Proponents say Measure D will provide $288,000,000 in school improvements without increasing existing tax rates. What they don’t emphasize is that Measure D would continue a property-tax obligation scheduled to expire in 2028. As assessed property values increase, the amount taxpayers pay also increases. Proponents highlight $82,000,000 in potential State matching funds, if the State will provide $82,000,000 for eligible projects. Voters should ask: Why does RUSD need $288,000,000in bonds and where will the remaining $206,000,000 go? The District states bond funds can not be used for teachers,staff or administrator salaries,benefits or pensions. However, that does not prevent the District from redirecting other unrestricted funds. If bond money pays for projects otherwise funded with existing revenues, those revenues could be redirected to other expenses as 6 assistant-superintendents. Voters deserve a clear, project-by-project accounting of the $288,000,000, including State funds and existing funds currently budgeted for facilities. Facilities maintenance and safety are important, but are projects such as $159,042.56 for seating at Rocklin High School are a higher priority than leaky roofs, outdated plumbing,wiring and other safety needs. The citizens’ oversight committee is advisory only, so who selects its members and who ultimately controls the expenditures? VOTE NO ON MEASURE D until taxpayers receive a clear accounting of total costs,State matching funds, project expenditures, the impact on existing District finances and your increased property taxes. — William J McEnroe
Argument against
Before voting on Measure D, voters should carefully consider all of the available information-not just the information provided in the campaign material. According to the correspondence from the Placer County Auditor, “even though there is enough funds in reserves for the 2 existing bonds to pay them off, there may be factors that can affect whether a rate would be needed to be levied for either bonds 2027/2028 and there is no way to determine that at this stage.” Therefore, claims that taxpayers will not see increased tax rates deserve careful scrutiny. The District states the proposed bond would begin at approximately the same tax rate as the 2002 bonds-about $60/$100,000 of assessed value. Under Prop 13, assessed property values normally increase yearly, meaning as the value goes up, so does the tax. The value of homes in 2002 were less expensive then. District data shows enrollment has declined by 578 students over the past 5 years to 11,598, compared to a capacity of more than 13,400. Given this available capacity, voters should ask whether borrowing an additional $288,000,000 is necessary. The project list includes items that some taxpayers may consider low priorities, such as outdoor learning centers which the weather may only allow limited use and other campus enhancements. This is not a vote against education or maintaining our schools. It is a question of whether this is the right bond, at the right time, and whether the District has demonstrated the need for additional long-term borrowing, given declining enrollment, available facilities capacity and uncertainty about future taxpayers costs. Please vote NO on Measure D — William J McEnroe
Quality schools are key to providing an excellent education, preserving property values, and maintaining our great community. The argument against Measure D has some inaccuracies and misleading statements that merit your consideration. Please consider the facts: FACT: Rocklin voters approved three measures in the past 35 years to improve our schools. Both the 1991 and 1998 measures are fully paid off, and the outstanding 2002 measure will be paid off in 2028. The time has come, 24 years later, to invest again in our neighborhood schools. FACT: Measure D makes financial sense. Measure D will replace the expiring 2002 tax measure but with a lower tax rate. Measure D’s tax rate will be lower and will not be levied until the last payment from 2002 has been made. FACT: Enrollment has nothing to do with Measure D. Whether there are 25 students in a classroom or 22, if the roof leaks, it must be replaced. Whether there are 500 students at a school or 400, if the plumbing and sewer systems are old, they need renovation. FACT: Measure D has strict accountability and taxpayer safeguards. Funds must be spent locally in Rocklin schools, and an independent citizens’ oversight committee of local residents must annually audit and review spending by law. Measure D is a carefully considered measure that will upgrade safety, improve the quality of education for Rocklin students, and benefit our community all without increasing tax rates. We can’t afford to wait. Join us and Vote YES on Measure D! — Julie Hupp, Rocklin School Board President; Gary Stevens, Rocklin Unified Audit Committee; Daniel Tanner, Springfield Resident; Christy Jewel, Community Leader & Rocklin Resident; Scott Collins, Principal, Whitney High School
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.