SFUSD
Proposition A Bond
The Proposition A Bond Program is financed, in large part, by two local bonds passed by San Francisco voters in November 2003 and November 2006. These are facilities bonds, intended to improve SFUSD school sites by bringing them into American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
The 2003 bond authorized the issuance of $295M in local bond funds which, when augmented by state matching funds, provided the funds necessary to improve 32 school facilities at 30 sites. The 2006 bond authorized the issuance of $450M in local bond funds which, when augmented by state matching funds, provided the funds necessary to improve 64 school facilities at 59 sites.
Greening
A portion of the Proposition A bond funds ($7 million) has been specifically allocated to greening projects at 45 elementary school sites. The greening funds are managed within the SFUSD Bond Department and each school goes through a planning and construction process to complete their projects.
A portion of the 2003 bond greening funds have been allocated to 12 middle and high schools through a grant application process.
Master Planning
Articulating the design elements of a green schoolyard occurs during the master planning process.
This process allows for creative and inclusive planning through workshops with teachers, parents, and students. As the green schoolyard is envisioned, the input from all parties ensures buy-in from the entire community. Buy-in at this level translates into sustainability, as the school community takes ownership of green schoolyard elements they help create.
Management
The overall Proposition A Bond Program is managed by an integrated team consisting of SFUSD project management staff and Kwan Henmi-Parsons, a joint venture team that provides a wide range of program management services including design management of 24 architectural engineering firms and program reporting. The greening portion of the bond is managed by SFUSD staff Lori Shelton and Tamar Barlev.
Local oversight of the Prop A Bond Program is provided by a Citizens Bond Oversight Committee that meets quarterly at 135 Van Ness Avenue.
SFGSA and the Bond Program
SFGSA works closely with the SFUSD Bond Greening Program. (Our offices are at the SFUSD Facilities Department Building at 135 Van Ness Avenue.) We support bond schools in their transformation process by helping them realize their programmatic goals. The bond funds planning, design and construction of the outdoor spaces. However, the funds do not include greening maintenance or staff. SFGSA helps schools create their vision for a garden program, its integration into the teaching, as well as how to sustain the space over time. SFGSA also provides horticultural supplies, professional development for teachers, an advice hotline, and advocacy support.
Campaign for Greener Schools
San Francisco Unified School District, with help from the SF Department of the Environment, has solidified its commitment to sustainability by hiring a Director of Sustainability, Nik Kaestner. SFUSD is now engaged in a Campaign to Green our Schools, which includes major efforts to increase tree plantings at SFUSD sites, install rainwater harvesting cisterns to reduce water use and stormwater runoff, improve energy efficiency, and support gardens in schools.
The San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance works to support this campaign through our programs. Please see below for more details on specific projects.
Rainwater Harvesting
During the summer of 2009, SFGSA helped bring 4 rainwater harvesting cisterns and gardens to 4 SFUSD schools through a partnership with the SF Public Utilities Commission. The PUC’s Urban Watershed Management Program, Miller Company Landscape Architects, SFGSA, and the Mayor’s Office of Community Challenge Grants came together to fund, design, organize, and build 4 new garden outdoor classrooms with attached rainwater cisterns.
Watershed Stewardship Curriculum
Along with the gardens and cisterns, SFGSA created a Watershed Stewardship Curriculum for schools with these systems. The curriculum is used to integrate the cisterns and gardens into the teaching at the schools.
To obtain a copy of the Watershed Stewardship Curriculum, please contact info@sfgreenschools.org
Community Challenge Grant for Rainwater Projects
SFUSD secured a grant from the Mayor’s Community Challenge Grant Program for nearly $40,000 to allow more schools to install rainwater harvesting systems at their sites.
Tree Plantings
SFUSD, Friends of the Urban Forest, and SFGSA have partnered to create the 2012 by 2012 campaign. Our goal is to plant 2012 trees in and around SFUSD school sites by 2012. We are on our way, but need your support!