Frequently Asked Questions

Here in the Pleasant Ridge School District (PRSD), we strive to provide an outstanding educational experience to over 1,500 students in our four local schools. Teachers and staff are committed to delivering a safe and engaging learning environment where students have access to strong systems of support for building academic capabilities and valuable life skills to become productive citizens in a constantly changing global society. Most of our Pleasant Ridge School District schools were built over 60 years ago. School health, safety, and instructional standards have changed significantly over the last few decades, and our classrooms and facilities have not kept pace and are not designed for current teaching and learning.Over the past year, the District conducted an extensive facility needs assessment to update our Facility Improvement Plan. Through this process, we have identified priority repairs and improvements needed in our schools to provide a safe and updated learning environment for our students. Some of the projects identified include repairing and replacing leaky roofs and dry rot infrastructure, updating heating and cooling systems, improving classrooms and other school facilities to meet safety and educational standards, and reconfiguring school entrances to reduce traffic issues and improve student safety. While the District continuously addresses maintenance issues, the upgrades identified in recent assessments are far beyond what can be funded from our regular operating budget.

Voting Yes on M will:Repair or replace leaky roofsReplace decades old HVAC unitsRepair and replace siding and dry rot in our buildingsInstall and upgrade fire and emergency systemsReconfigure school entrances to improve traffic safety and make our road drivable

The district does fund annual maintenance and smaller repairs out of our operating budget every single year. However, routine maintenance and full-scale capital replacements are fundamentally different in scope, life cycle, and cost. The district spends $300,000–$500,000 annually on capital projects and around $800,000 additional on routine maintenance — a large portion of a $20 million budget.Annual operating budgets are designed to handle ongoing upkeep, minor repairs, and preventative maintenance — keeping filters changed, patching small roof leaks, servicing compressor units, and clearing plumbing lines. But major infrastructure systems eventually reach the end of their useful service lives and require complete system replacements that far outstrip what an annual operating budget can absorb without severely underfunding classroom instruction and teacher salaries.California's school funding formula (LCFF) is primarily structured to support day-to-day educational operations — teaching, instructional materials, and basic routine upkeep. Standard state funding mechanisms do not provide school districts with a dedicated, recurring capital fund large enough to replace multi-million-dollar facility systems all at once. Local general obligation bonds are the standard, state-sanctioned mechanism designed specifically to finance these large-scale, long-term capital investments, ensuring local tax dollars go directly toward preserving school infrastructure for decades to come.

Measure M includes strict mandatory accountability requirements that ensure the funds are spent as promised, including:Independent citizens’ oversight and annual audits are requiredAll funds stay local to support local schools – no funds can be taken by the StateNo Measure M funds can be used for administrators’ salaries or benefits.

No. By law, no funds from Measure M may be used for operating expenses, including administrator salaries and pensions. Funds may only be used to repair and upgrade PRSD facilities.

Yes, PRSD worked with parents, teachers and community members to carefully assess the condition of school facilities. The PRSD Board of Trustees has approved a detailed Facilities Master Plan that identifies the specific projects with cost estimates that would be completed if Measure M is approved by local voters. The Facilities Master Plan is available to review here..

By state law, no exemptions may be provided for bond measures. However, the total cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of a home, not the market value. The longer a home has been owned, the lower the assessed value because it is based on the original purchase price. Typically, older homeowners who have owned their homes the longest pay the least for bond measures.

All registered voters residing within the Pleasant Ridge School District are eligible to vote on Measure M. To be approved, Measure M requires “YES” votes from 55% of the votes cast on the measure.

Measure M will be on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Whether or not you normally vote at the polls, all registered PRSD voters living in Nevada County will be mailed a ballot by October 5, 2026. Once you receive your ballot, vote YES on M, sign and seal the envelope, and mail it back right away. No postage is required.

Whether or not you have school-age children, supporting local schools is a wise investment that improves our property values and local quality of life.

In the 60+ year history of PRSD, the district has never had a local bond measure passed. PRSD is among the small minority of districts in California that has never passed a bond.