Proposition 2 Guidance and Considerations from the Climate Ready Schools Coalition

The Climate Ready Schools Coalition submitted a letter to the California Department of Education, Office of Public School Construction, and Division of the State Architect urging each agency to ensure that the implementation of Proposition 2 (AB 247) upholds the vision for safe, healthy, sustainable, and resilient school facilities in every California community.

Last year, Proposition 2 (AB 247), was approved by California’s voters. The bill authorizes $10 billion in general obligation bonds for repair, upgrade, and construction of facilities at K–12 public schools, community colleges, and career technical education programs, including for improvement of health and safety conditions and classroom upgrades.

To support the implementation of Proposition 2, members of the Coalition also released detailed guidance outlining how school districts and state agencies can integrate climate resilience into long-term facilities planning. The document calls for a whole systems approach that aligns facilities master planning with educational priorities and accountability frameworks like the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the Facilities Inspection Tool (FIT). A major emphasis is placed on collecting and maintaining baseline data on school building conditions, energy systems, and climate risk factors. The guidance stresses that a robust, transparent statewide facilities database is essential for ensuring equitable resource allocation, emergency preparedness, and long-term infrastructure resilience.

The guidance includes practical, scalable recommendations for addressing four core issues of climate readiness: energy resilience, indoor environmental quality, schoolyard greening, and climate risk assessment. These recommendations range from installing solar and battery systems to expanding tree canopy coverage, improving air filtration and ventilation, and assessing vulnerability to extreme heat, wildfires, and flooding.

Proposition 2 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure California’s school infrastructure not only supports student health and learning today but also builds long-term resilience for the climate challenges ahead. The Climate Ready Schools Coalition is urging state agencies to meet the moment and lead with a whole-systems approach.