District overview
San Mateo Union High School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is the high-school district funded and governed?
San Mateo Union High is governed by a five-member elected Board of Trustees for its high-school, alternative, and adult-education programs. Operating revenue follows California’s school-finance framework, with attendance, student need, local property taxes, and restricted program funds shaping resources; voter-approved Measure L bonds and developer fees support capital work rather than ordinary operations.
Districtwide Board authority
The Board approves budgets, instructional plans, policy, senior leadership, and major facilities contracts across the district’s campuses.
School-level bodies still matter
School Site Councils develop and monitor campus achievement plans, budget priorities, and safety plans within district policy.
Capital funding is separate
The voter-approved $385 million Measure L bond finances major facilities improvements, while developer fees help address growth-related school impacts.
Campus-specific Board projects and appointments do not replace each school council’s authority over site plans, safety, and locally controlled spending.
What is on the public record
NCES 2024-25 district enrollment context.
NCES 2024-25 district directory context.
Voter-approved 2020 general-obligation bond for capital facilities.
Major projects
Bell-to-bell mobile-device policy
Implementation being developedAfter several public discussions, the board directed a bell-to-bell restriction on personal devices and later approved a mobile-device pouch recommendation. The June meeting previewed handbook language.
- Board hears a cellphone-policy update
- Board directs a bell-to-bell restriction
- Board approves a mobile-device pouch recommendation
- Board hears a preview of student-handbook language
Funding
District operating budget; specific procurement amount not stated
The Board summary records pouch approval but does not state product, price, rollout date, or campus details.
Bridge Academy new school project
Construction delivery authorizedThe board authorized a lease-leaseback process covering demolition and earthwork, construction of the new Bridge Academy, and a parking lot and connector.
- Board authorizes lease-leaseback procurement for three construction increments
Funding
District capital program; project amount not stated
The minutes establish the delivery method and scope, but not the project amount.
2026-27 principal transitions
Appointments approvedThe board appointed new principals for Aragon, Burlingame, Middle College, and Peninsula, plus a new Burlingame assistant principal, for 2026-27.
- Burlingame assistant principal contract approved
- Aragon, Burlingame, and Middle College principals appointed
- Peninsula principal contract approved
Funding
District operating budget
The Board summaries do not state contract compensation.
San Mateo High School pool replacement
Design, budget, and schedule approvedThe board approved the schematic design, budget, and schedule for the pool replacement project.
- Board approves schematic design, budget, and schedule
Funding
Measure L and district capital-facilities funds
The Board approved design, budget, and schedule, but the project amount is not summarized here.
The overview synthesizes 34 official board records from August 2025 through June 2026. Counts and project descriptions are limited to what those stored records establish.
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