Access Small School District Program Funding

About this Service

The Kindergarten through Grade 12 Schools and Local Community College Public Education Facilities Modernization, Repair, and Safety Bond Act of 2024 (Proposition 2) established the Small School District Program (Program). At the February 25 and April 29, 2026 State Allocation Board (Board) meetings, the Board approved regulations for implementation of the Program. The regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on June 15, 2026. SFP Regulation Sections 1859.156-1859.158 and the Application for Small School District Preliminary Apportionment (Form SAB 50-12) were added to implement this Program. Please refer to the links to SFP Approved Regulations and Forms below for the full text. This service provides dedicated funding for eligible small school districts or county offices of education with an enrollment of 2,500 pupils or fewer at the time of application submittal. The Program includes $400 million for Modernization projects and $330 million for New Construction projects. Districts request a preliminary apportionment (reservation of bond authority) for their projects by submitting a Form SAB 50-12 during the following Program opening dates:

• Modernization Applications: November 2, 2026
• New Construction Applications: January 15, 2027

Districts who have a successful Preliminary Program Apportionment reserve bond authority for up to four years, with a potential one-time, one year extension subject to Board approval in accordance with School Facility Program Regulation Section 1859.157.6. Districts must then convert their Preliminary to a Final Program Apportionment using the Application for Funding (Form SAB 50-04) within four years of the Board approval date for the Form SAB 50-12, along with required documentation such as, but not limited to, any California Department of Education Plan Approvals, Division of the State Architect Plan Approvals, the District’s Five-Year Facility Master Plan, and other required documentation that accompanies a complete and valid Form SAB 50-04 submittal.

Applications for the Program are submitted to the Office of Public School Construction in two stages: an application for eligibility and an application for a Preliminary Small School District Apportionment.

Districts are encouraged to submit their eligibility documents and Form SAB 50-12 in the OPSC Online application.

To calculate and confirm eligibility and review funding opportunities for the Modernization program, please refer to the following: Access Modernization Funding for Schools

To calculate and confirm eligibility and review funding opportunities for the New Construction program, please refer to the following: Access New Construction Funding for Schools

How to Apply for a Preliminary Apportionment

• OPSC Online Application
• SSDP 50-12 Application Submittal Requirements
• For questions about SSDP eligibility and funding or filling out and submitting a Form SAB 50-12, contact OPSCSmallSchools@dgs.ca.gov.

Preliminary to Final Apportionment Process

• Preliminary to Final Apportionment Process (PDF)

Small School District Program Overview – Virtual Presentation

• Small School District Program Workshop Presentation (Recording)
• Small School District Program Workshop Presentation (PDF)
• Financial Hardship (Recording)
• Financial Hardship (PDF)

California Department of Education Resources

• Supporting America's School Infrastructure Grant - School Facilities (CA Dept of Education)
• Supporting Priority School Districts - School Facilities (CA Dept of Education)
• School Facilities & Transportation Services Division - Organization (CA Dept of Education)

Small School District Program Background

OPSC began a series of stakeholder meetings in early 2025 to implement the Program and discuss the development of formal School Facility Program regulations for the Program. At the February 25, 2026 and April 29, 2026 State Allocation Board (Board) meetings, the Board approved regulations for implementation of the Small School District Program.

Please reference the Proposition 2 - Assembly Bill 247 webpage for additional background information, such as previous stakeholder meetings and Board agendas here: Proposition 2 - Assembly Bill 247