San Diego School Districts Face Transparency Challenges in Bond Spending

A recent report from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association highlights significant disparities in transparency among school districts in San Diego County regarding the spending of voter-approved bonds. The 2025 School Bond Transparency Report Card assessed 23 districts with active bonds for the 2024-25 fiscal year, reviewing over $23.5 billion in bond programs. The findings reveal that while some districts excel in transparency, others are falling short, requiring taxpayers to navigate complex digital resources to understand where their money is going.

Transparency Scores and Key Performers

The report assigned an average transparency score of approximately 90 percent, equivalent to an A-, among the districts evaluated, excluding the lowest performers. Key criteria included the availability of oversight committee agendas, annual audits, project lists, and itemized expenditures published online.

Notable high scorers included Vista Unified, Miracosta Community College District, Grossmont Union High School District, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, San Diego Unified, and San Ysidro, all of which earned A+ grades. Conversely, Borrego Springs received an F, while smaller districts like Lemon Grove and the National School District ranked near the bottom. The report also highlighted a significant drop in performance for Chula Vista Elementary, which fell from an A- in 2024 to a D+ in this year’s evaluation.

Responses from District Leaders

In response to the report, district leaders acknowledged the need for improvement. Marianna Vinson, Superintendent of Lemon Grove, stated that the district “is committed to transparency” and is actively implementing measures to enhance reporting and auditing processes. Meanwhile, Giovanna Castro, a spokesperson for Chula Vista, emphasized that the district “values feedback” and is working on updating its bond-related web pages following earlier technical issues.

Requests for comments from officials in Borrego Springs and the National School District went unanswered, according to coverage by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

As these districts continue to utilize bond proceeds for campus upgrades and new construction, the need for clear financial documentation remains critical. For example, Grossmont Union has used its bond program to finance new science buildings, upgraded sports and performing arts facilities, and improved career-technical education spaces. Additionally, the district recently approved a refinancing plan projected to save taxpayers approximately $18.9 million, as noted by East County Magazine.

Advice for Voters

As residents consider future bond measures, they should keep an eye on essential transparency indicators. Key questions to ask include whether oversight committee minutes, the latest audits, project lists, and itemized expenditures are easily accessible on the district’s website. The findings from the Taxpayers Association’s report suggest that many districts still have considerable improvements to make to maintain voter trust in their financial commitments.

In an era where transparency is paramount, the challenge remains for several districts to step up and provide clear, accessible information that allows taxpayers to understand how their contributions are being utilized.