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HomeEducation CodeCh. 1.5Art. 1§ 15266 School District Bond Authorization

§ 15266 School District Bond Authorization

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 15266 School District Bond Authorization

This law lets a school district, community college district, or school facilities improvement district vote (with a two‑thirds majority) to ask voters if they want to sell special bonds under the state constitution instead of using the usual bond rules.

Key Takeaways

  • •A two‑thirds board vote is needed before putting the bond question on the ballot.
  • •The vote must be on whether to issue bonds under the constitutional method, not on any other issue.
  • •If voters approve, the district must use the constitutional bond process and can’t switch back to the normal bond rules.

Example

A community college wants to build a new science lab. The board votes 2/3 to put the bond question on the next local election so voters can decide if the college can sell the bonds.

If the voters say yes, the college can issue the bonds the way the state constitution says, and it can’t later switch back to the regular bond process.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 15266 School District Bond Authorization

(a) As an alternative to authorizing and issuing bonds pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 15100) or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 15300), the governing board of a school district, community college district, or a school facilities improvement district may decide, pursuant to a two-thirds vote and subject to Section 15100 to pursue the authorization and issuance of bonds pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution and subdivision (b) of Section 18 of Article XVI of the California Constitution. An election may only be ordered on the question of whether bonds of a school district, community college district, or a school facilities improvement district shall be issued and sold pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 18 of Article XVI of the California Constitution at a primary or general election, a regularly scheduled local election at which all of the electors of the school district, community college district, or school facilities improvement district, as appropriate, are entitled to vote, or a statewide special election. (b) Upon adopting a resolution to incur bonded indebtedness pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 18 of Article XVI of the California Constitution and after the question has been submitted to the voters, if approved at the election, the bonds shall be issued pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution and this chapter, and the governing board may not, regardless of the number of votes cast in favor of the bond, subsequently proceed exclusively under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 15100) or under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 15300), as appropriate. Where not inconsistent, the provisions of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 15100) or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 15300), as appropriate, shall apply to this chapter. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 670, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

governing boardschool districtcommunity college districtschool facilities improvement districtbonded indebtednesstwo-thirds voteArticle XIII AArticle XVI

Related Statutes

  • § 15108 School District Debt Exclusion
  • § 15111 Bond Election Reporting Requirements
  • § 15271 School Facilities Improvement Authority
  • § 15100 School Bond Elections
  • § 4005 Annual School District Meeting

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 15266.
View Official Source