Santa Clara Unified funding, governance and active work
Santa Clara Unified School District
A locally funded district using reserves while advancing campus projects
Who controls Santa Clara Unified's resources?
Seven elected trustees set direction, adopt the budget and oversee the superintendent. Santa Clara Unified is Basic Aid, or locally funded: local property taxes exceed its state LCFF entitlement, although state and federal categorical revenue still supports designated programs. Capital projects use restricted general-obligation bond proceeds and other eligible facilities funding.
Seven trustee areas elect the Board
Each trustee serves a four-year term; authority belongs to the Board collectively, working with the superintendent.
Property taxes dominate core revenue
The 2025-26 adopted plan projects $351.61 million in LCFF/property-tax revenue and $41.01 million in other General Fund revenue.
Operating reserves bridge a large gap
The plan transfers $42.94 million from Fund 17 and $600,000 from the retiree-benefit reserve to support 2025-26 operations.
Bond governance is separate
A dedicated department manages voter-authorized facilities work with independent citizen oversight, financial audits and performance audits.
The adopted plan shows a $65.23 million General Fund revenue/expenditure shortfall before reserve transfers, and projects Fund 17 falling from $108.54 million to $16.18 million over three years absent further adjustments.
Adopted 2025-26 operating plan
LCFF/property taxes plus other revenue, excluding equal STRS on-behalf entries.
Salaries/benefits and all other expenditures, excluding equal STRS on-behalf entries.
The adopted plan bridges most of the gap with special-reserve transfers.
Transfer from the special reserve for purposes other than capital outlay.
Major projects
Westwood Elementary modernization
Kitchen and multipurpose building under constructionThe phased modernization adds a kitchen, multipurpose building, indoor/outdoor stage, lunch court, parking and circulation improvements.
- Initial site work began in summer 2025
- District reported roofing complete and kitchen/multipurpose work continuing
- New-building occupancy expected
- Old multipurpose demolition and new parking work planned for summer 2027
Funding
Voter-approved general-obligation bond proceeds managed by the district Bond Projects Department
The reviewed project page does not state a project-specific authorized or current cost.
Buchser Townsend Field improvements
Full design and environmental review underwayThe project will enlarge the field and track, replace bleachers and lighting, remove concessions, and build restrooms.
- Board approved the project
- Board approved the Lionakis design contract
- Second mural community-input meeting held
- Construction anticipated to start
Funding
NFL Foundation and 49ers Foundation investment plus Santa Clara Unified contribution
The official project page does not publish contribution amounts.
This overview uses the district's official budget book, Board description, and current facilities project pages. Financial figures are taken from the adopted multi-year projection.
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