INGLEWOOD – Inglewood Unified School District intends to ask voters for ANOTHER school bond after unveiling an ambitious Facilities Master Plan draft that includes $440 million in upgrades.
The Facilities Master Plan 2025 Administrative Draft was prepared by Caldwell Flores Winters, Inc., and dated October 2025. The plan addresses declining enrollment, implements a TK-8 educational model, and seeks to transform aging campuses into 21st Century Learning Environments, all at an estimated total cost of $439.5 million.
On Jan. 6, the district sent out a survey to some residents asking them about bond language that they would consider approving during an upcoming election.
“It sounded like the district already has their mind made up about this, meanwhile, they have closed nearly a half dozen schools, after we approved over $300 million in new bonds during the last ten years,” said an Inglewood resident who declined to be identified.
How will the district pay for the planned upgrades?
The district has a two-pronged strategy using state funds and another bond being placed before voters in 2028.
The district plans to use $22.6 million from the State Facility Program (SFP), which supports modernization and new construction on a matching basis—typically 60/40 for modernization and 50/50 for new builds. This structure requires the District to provide local funds to unlock state contributions.
General Obligation bonds would then be placed before voters to cover the local match and finance the build of the improvements.
According to the draft plan, the distict has no remaining voter-approved bond capacity, making the passage of a new 2028 G.O. bond measure essential. The proposed bond would need to raise roughly $416.9 million.
“It makes you wonder where the previous bond proceeds have been spent when you take into consideration the district has told the public they didn’t use any bond funds on the schools that were closed because the repairs were too costly,” said Tony Anderson, a longtime Inglewood resident.
Structuring the Bond
The District plans to pursue a 2028 election under Proposition 39 rules, which require 55% voter approval.
The bond would have a maximum levy capped at $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (AV) of properties in the City.
According to the draft plan, this assumes a 4% annual AV growth, where the District could issue $420 million over an eight-year horizon, generating the required $416.9 million for project funding.
As of FY 2024-25, statutory debt limits allow $529.5 million in total G.O. capacity. With $321 million in outstanding debt, the net available capacity is $208.5 million, necessitating either growth in AV or repayment of existing debt for future sales.
In June 2025, County Assessor Jeffrey Prang announced Inglewood home values increased 3.5% over2024.
“This growth does not mean property owners will be subject to a corresponding increase on their annual property tax bills. Most property owners will see only a 2% adjustment prescribed by Proposition 13,” according to Prang’s office.
According to Inglewood Unified, some of the proceeds from the new bond proceeds will be earmarked for Inglewood High School which closed to the public at the close of the 2024-2025 academic school year.
The initial plan to undergo significant renovations of the nearly 100 year old high school came about over a decade ago.
Related: Inglewood Unified to raze Inglewood High School, build new one as part of $148-million overhaul
In 2014, it was announced Inglewood High School would be demolished to make way for a new school but those plans have yet to come to fruition over ten years later.
In 2014, then administrator Dr. Don Brann expected the rebuild was expected to cost about $148 million, to be covered by the $90 million Bond Measure GG — approved overwhelmingly by voters in 2012 — and state and airport mitigation revenue.
Of the $439.5 million projected, $398.1 million is allocated to physical improvements, while $41.4 million is earmarked for a Program Reserve to cover unforeseen regulatory, design, or construction costs.
Funding will roll out over four phases beginning FY 2028-29, with Phase 1 prioritizing the reconstruction of Inglewood High School. Subsequent phases will modernize and rebuild campuses including Bennett-Kew, Centinela, Woodworth/Monroe, Beulah Payne, Parent, Oak Street, La Tijera, the future Kelso site, and the Hudnall Alternative Education facility.
In essence, Inglewood Unified doesn’t have the funds available to finance the construction of Inglewood High School despite voters pledging bonds in 2019 under Measure K for $90 million and another $240 million under Measure I in 2020.
