Frequently Asked Questions
How are Los Gatos and Saratoga High Schools performing?
Los Gatos High School and Saratoga High School are central to our community’s identity. Our high schools are among the best in the state and nation and are the #1 driver of local property values. They are why many of us move here and stay.
What is Measure N?
If approved by voters, Measure N would authorize up to $321 million in locally controlled funding for school facilities improvements. Your YES vote on Measure N will help avoid expensive, temporary fixes, and help our high schools qualify for millions in state matching funds.
What is the state of classrooms and facilities at Los Gatos and Saratoga High Schools?
Some of our high school buildings are over 100 years old and in desperate need of repairs and updates. Several classrooms, athletic facilities, cafeterias, and other school infrastructure contain dry rot, leaky roofs, and outdated plumbing and electrical systems that need replacing. Roofs leak, plumbing fails and outdated energy systems are inefficient. If we wait, repair costs will go up, and our aging high schools will require even more costly maintenance.
How will upgrades and repairs directly impact teachers and students in the classroom?
Many of our classrooms and labs don’t meet the modern standards necessary to maintain our prestigious academics. Award-winning programs like our robotics team are doing more with less, but the need is dire. Upgrading our schools will allow us to continue offering the best academic programs and ensure that the most qualified teachers will want to continue teaching here.
Specifically, how would Measure N be used to complete needed improvements?
If approved by voters, Measure N would provide $321 million in locally controlled school funding for repairs and upgrades, that could include:
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Repair leaky roofs
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Replace failing plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems
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Update failing school restrooms
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Improve school safety
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Provide up-to-date instructional tools for teachers
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Upgrade science, technology, arts, math, robotics, and career technical education classrooms and labs
How do I know funds from Measure N would be used responsibly?
Measure N would require strict fiscal accountability and transparency protections, including:
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Every penny stays local — nothing can be taken by the State or Federal governments
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Annual independent audits and citizens’ oversight ensure funds are spent as promised
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Measure N can’t fund administrator salaries
Didn’t we just approve another ballot measure, Measure A, in 2024? Why do we need more funding?
Measure A renewed an expiring school district parcel tax that supports the recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers, as well as strong core academics and robust science, technology, engineering, and math programs. However, parcel tax funds, by law cannot be used for the critical repairs and upgrades needed for school facilities and classrooms. School districts simply aren’t funded to save hundreds of millions of dollars for major construction projects. The District’s daily operating budget could not cover the cost of major construction without immediate cuts to teachers, counselors, and student programs. Bond funding is the only consistent source of local revenue available to fund major repairs and upgrades to District schools.
Why is now the right time for Measure N and has LGSUHSD made investments comparable to neighboring high school districts in the county?
Over the past 30 years, Los Gatos–Saratoga Union High School District has approved fewer school facility measures than many surrounding districts. While neighboring communities invested heavily over the past several decades, we’ve delayed many of those major improvements.
District | Bond Measures Since 1996 | Total Bond Authorization |
|---|---|---|
Fremont Union High School District | 5 | $1.187 billion |
Mountain View–Los Altos High School District | 2 | $336.3 million |
Los Gatos–Saratoga Union High School District | 2 | $178 million |
While every district has different facilities and needs, this historical comparison shows that periodic investments in school infrastructure are common among high-performing public high school districts. Los Gatos–Saratoga has approved just two bond measures since 1996 totaling $178 million over the past three decades—substantially less than neighboring districts.
How much will Measure N cost?
If approved by voters, Measure N would cost $30 per $100,000 of a property’s assessed (not market) value per year, while bonds are outstanding.
What happened to the Measure E funds? Can’t those funds be used for the current needs?
Measure E was approved over a decade ago and funded projects proposed by that measure such as making safety repairs, adding classrooms to reduce overcrowding, and fixing deteriorating infrastructure. Just last year a District Office Bell/Public Announcement system was installed allowing for district wide emergency alerts which keeps students safe. Measure E funds were overseen by a Citizens’ Oversight Committee that has ensured all funds were used for projects approved by the Board of Trustees, within the confines of the scope of Measure E. Please visit https://www.lgsuhsd.org/about-us/community-involvement/measure-e-bond-oversight-committee/meetings-and-agendas to see the projects that have been funded by Measure E over the past 12 years. Today, there are no Measure E funds left to address the significant needs at our aging local high schools. Measure N will address the current needs and require the same oversight and accountability requirements.
How can we be sure that Measure N funds will be spent on the highest priority projects?
LGSUHSD spent a great deal of time creating and approving a transparent and public Facilities Master Plan that will address the needs at our local high schools. The plan is a roadmap for how repair our high schools, maintain our excellent reputation, and protect local property values. The State does not provide funding for facility upgrades and our District currently has the lowest tax rates in the entire county. The District has also refinanced previous bonds to save taxpayers money, but the need for repairs and upgrades is now essential. Upgrading our schools will allow us to continue offering the best academic programs and ensure that the most qualified teachers will want to continue teaching here. If we don’t make repairs and upgrades now the problems will only get worse and more costly.
Why is $321 million necessary for these repairs?
On its own, $321 million sounds like a large number, but many of our buildings at LGSUSD schools are between 65, 75, and even 100 years old. Replacing aging facilities like leaking roofs, failing school restrooms, and outdated electrical and plumbing systems is an investment that will prevent expensive deferred maintenance costs down the line. Many of the District’s facilities are outdated and require more urgent repairs in comparison to neighboring districts. This bond isn’t about building extravagant new facilities. It’s about replacing aging infrastructures, improving safety and security, modernizing classrooms, and ensuring our students have schools that are reliable, functional, and prepared for the future.
May funds from Measure N be used for administrator salaries and pensions?
No. By law, no funds from Measure N may be used for operating expenses, including administrator salaries and pensions.
I don’t have children attending local schools. How does this impact me?
Even if you do not have school-age children, investing in local schools strengthens our community and maintains high property values.
Are senior exemptions available?
State law does not allow for exemptions to be applied to bond measures. However, because the cost of a bond measure is based on the original purchase price of a home, older residents who have lived in their homes a long time have the lowest assessed values and will pay the least toward the cost of a bond measure.
Would all funds benefit our neighborhood schools only?
All funds from Measure N would benefit Los Gatos High School and Saratoga High School only. No funds could be taken by the State or used for other purposes.
When will I be able to vote on Measure N?
Measure N will appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot.
What level of support would Measure N need to pass?
Measure N would need to be supported by 55% of those who vote on it to pass.
