Building the Future for Rocklin Unified School District
Building the Future for Rocklin Unified School District![]()
Building the Future for Rocklin Unified School District
Founded in 1866, Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) has been educating generations of Rocklin families for 160 years. Today, RUSD serves almost 11,600 students in TK/Kindergarten – 12th grade at 17 schools, including alternative education programs. Rocklin teachers and staff are dedicated to providing the structure and support needed to ensure that every student receives the highest-quality education and becomes a happy, healthy, productive member of society. Strong schools that nurture successful students improve the quality of life in our community and protect the property value of local homes.
Aging Classrooms and School Facilities
Aging Classrooms and School Facilities![]()
Aging Classrooms and School Facilities
Most of our schools were built 20 – 30 years ago, and two of our campuses are over 60 years old. While some modernization projects have been completed over the years, many classrooms and school facilities are outdated and need essential repairs and updates. These outdated classrooms and deteriorating facilities are more costly and less efficient to operate than school facilities that meet today’s academic and safety standards.
In 2024, the RUSD revised its Facilities Master Plan, which identified over $300 million in facility repair and modernization costs across our school campuses. The Facilities Master Plan will be used as a guide for upgrades and improvements. To fund projects identified in the Facilities Master Plan, the District is considering a local school bond measure. The potential measure would fund projects to support the current and future District education programs that will ensure all students who plan to go to college are prepared to succeed, and those who don’t plan to go to college receive the career training they need to compete for good-paying jobs.
Local Funding for Repairs and Improvements
Local Funding for Repairs and Improvements![]()
Local Funding for Repairs and Improvements
In June, the Rocklin Unified School District Board of Trustees is considering placing a $288 million school improvement bond measure on the November 2026 ballot to fund repairs and upgrades to our local schools. The potential measure is projected to cost approximately $60 per $100,000 of a property’s assessed value (not market), while bonds are outstanding. Based on current projections, it is unlikely that the current tax rates would increase as a result of the new measure. If approved by local voters, a measure could:
- Expand and modernize career technical education (CTE) facilities to better prepare students for jobs after high school
- Repair or replace leaky roofs and deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems
- Make health, safety, and security improvements throughout RUSD school classrooms and campuses
- Replace outdated heating and air-conditioning systems and inadequate electrical systems
- Construct new classrooms to replace outdated portable classrooms
Mandatory Fiscal ACcountability
Mandatory Fiscal ACcountability![]()
Mandatory Fiscal ACcountability
Funding from a potential bond measure would require strict fiscal protections, including:
- Independent audits and a citizens’ oversight committee
- All funds would be spent on RUSD facilities and schools
- A detailed project list would designate the projects for which bond funds can be spent
- No funds could be used for administrators’ salaries or benefits
3 Ways to PRovide Input
3 Ways to PRovide Input![]()
3 Ways to PRovide Input
Attend Our Town Hall:
- Thursday, May 28, 2026
- 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Rocklin Unified School District Board Room
2615 Sierra Meadows Drive, Rocklin, CA 95677
Email us to share your opinions and priorities or ask questions:
Complete this Survey with your input.
Our Rocklin Schools
Our Rocklin Schools![]()
Our Rocklin Schools
60-75 Years Old:
- Parker Whitney Elementary
- Rocklin Elementary
30-40 Years Old:
- Antelope Creek Elementary
- Breen Elementary
- Cobblestone Elementary
- Spring View Middle School
- Rocklin High School
20-30 Years Old:
- Rock Creek Elementary
- Ruhkala Elementary
- Sierra Elementary
- Twin Oaks Elementary
- Valley View Elementary
- Granite Oaks Middle School
- Victory High School
- Whitney High School
- Rocklin Alternative Education Center
1-20 Years Old:
- Quarry Trail Elementary
- Sunset Ranch Elementary
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
2026 Potential School Bond MeasureFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)![]()
How are our local Rocklin schools doing?
Rocklin Unified School District’s (RUSD) award-winning schools serve almost 11,600 students in TK/Kindergarten–12th grade across 17 schools, including alternative education programs. Rocklin teachers and staff are dedicated to providing the structure and support needed to ensure that every student receives the highest-quality education and becomes a happy, healthy, productive member of society. Our students' state test scores are among the highest in the region, and RUSD has the highest graduation rate in the region.
What is the current state of our classrooms, labs and school facilities?
Most of our schools were built 20-30 years ago, and two of our campuses are over 60 years old. While some modernization projects have been completed over the years, many classrooms and school facilities are outdated and need essential repairs and updates. These outdated classrooms and deteriorating facilities are more costly and less efficient to operate than school facilities that meet today’s academic and safety standards.
In 2024, Rocklin Unified revised its Facilities Master Plan, which identified over $300 million in facility repair and modernization costs across our school campuses.
How does Rocklin Unified plan to address these needs?
While no decisions have been made at this time, the Rocklin Unified School District Board of Trustees is considering placing a $288 million school improvement bond measure on the November 2026 ballot to fund repairs and upgrades to our local schools. The potential measure is projected to cost approximately $60 per $100,000 of a property’s assessed value (not market), while bonds are outstanding. Based on current projections, it is unlikely that the current tax rates would increase as a result of the new measure. If approved by local voters, a measure could:
- Expand and modernize career technical education (CTE) facilities to better prepare students for jobs after high school
- Repair or replace leaky roofs and deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems
- Make health, safety, and security improvements throughout RUSD school classrooms and campuses
- Replace outdated heating and air-conditioning systems and inadequate electrical systems
- Construct new classrooms to replace outdated portable classrooms
Do bond measures include fiscal accountability provisions and taxpayer protections?
Yes, there are legally required accountability measures built into school bond measures. If approved, Rocklin Unified’s bond measure would be subject to the following requirements:
- Independent audits and a citizens’ oversight committee
- All funds would be spent on RUSD facilities and schools
- The included project list designates the projects for which bond funds can be spent
- No funds could be used for administrators’ salaries or benefits
Is there any other way to update our schools?
Rocklin Unified has been judicious in saving money and is able to dedicate $6 million annually for repairs and maintenance to keep our schools open, safe, and functioning for local students. This annual allotment of funds is not enough to update our schools, which were built for another era and are no longer considered adequate to meet current safety and learning standards.
What sort of repairs and updates are needed?
Upgrades are needed in RUSD schools to meet current health and building safety codes and to provide proper access for students with disabilities. Basic repairs include repairing or replacing leaky roofs, deteriorating plumbing, and outdated and inefficient electrical, heating, and cooling systems. Aging systems increase maintenance costs, reduce efficiency, and require harder-to-find replacement parts, which drive up operational expenses. We must also ensure that improvements to school facilities include ongoing updates and modernization of safety infrastructure to maintain safe and secure campuses.
Does the potential measure also include classroom modernizations and updates to meet current learning standards?
Yes, if approved by voters, the bond measure would, in addition to basic health and safety repairs, fund updates to classrooms, labs, and instructional technology, including career and technical education facilities. These updates are aimed at preparing students to compete for admission to top colleges and for in-demand careers in fields like Computer Science, Graphic Design and Communication, Business and Finance, and Engineering Technology.
Will the potential measure fund new construction as well?
Yes, if approved by the voters, this bond measure could help replace or repair portable classrooms at our schools that are more than 20 years old, many of which need improvement. It is expensive to keep repairing these units; thus, a bond measure would enable Rocklin Unified to replace or repair decaying portables and transition to permanent classroom settings.
How much would the bond measure cost?
If passed by voters, the bond measure would generate approximately $288.3 million to upgrade local schools and would cost about $60 per $100,000 of a property’s assessed value (not market value) annually while bonds are outstanding. Based on current projections, it is unlikely that the current tax rates would increase as a result of the new measure.
What is the difference between assessed value and market value?
The cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of properties. The assessed value of a property is generally based on the original purchase price and may not increase by more than 2% per year under Prop 13, while the market value tends to grow much faster, depending on market conditions. Thus, the assessed value is typically lower than the market value, especially if a property was purchased long ago at a much lower price than it would cost today. It is this lower assessed value upon which the repayment cost of a bond measure is based.
Would a bond measure help RUSD qualify for State matching funds?
Yes, if voters approve a bond measure, RUSD would be eligible to receive about $82 million in State matching funds that would otherwise go to other school districts. To date, Rocklin Unified has successfully leveraged $97 million in matching funds from previous bond measures that would not have been available had voters not passed previous bonds.
What other bonds have been passed in RUSD?
Voters in the Rocklin Unified School District have approved three bonds in the past 35 years to accommodate growing enrollment. Both the 1991 and 1998 bonds are fully paid off, and the outstanding 2002 bond measure (Measure B) will be paid off in 2028. Funds from the previous bond measures were primarily used to build new schools to meet the needs of our growing city.
Would all funds benefit RUSD schools and remain local?
Yes. All money raised by a potential measure would be spent on RUSD school projects to support our students and could not be taken away by the State.
When would the potential measure be on the ballot and who would be able to vote on the measure?
While no decisions have been made at this time, the District is considering placing the potential measure on the November 3, 2026, ballot. All registered voters living in the Rocklin Unified School District will be eligible to vote on the bond measure.
What level of support would a potential measure need to pass?
This bond measure needs to be supported by 55% of voters to pass.
How can I register to vote or learn more about voting?
You can register to vote at www.registertovote.ca.gov. To find out more about voting in this election, please contact the Placer County Registrar of Voters at (530) 886-5650.
How can I get more information?
As RUSD considers options for preparing our schools for the future, we welcome your input. To share your opinions or to ask questions, please email us at RUSD.FacilitiesPlanning@rocklinusd.org.
