Election Day resulted in good news for several urban school districts.

In California, Measure US, a $9-billion school bond, was approved by voters to benefit the Los Angeles Unified School District. Funds from the bond will be used to upgrade and improve school facilities and create green outdoor school spaces. According to district officials, more than 60 percent of school buildings are over 50 years old. And voters approved a $790-million bond measure for the San Francisco Unified School District to repair and improve district facilities.

A $975-million bond package was approved by voters for Denver Public Schools, Colorado’s largest school district. Funds from the bond will be used to provide schools with air conditioning, build new facilities such as a new elementary school, boost athletic and arts programs, make safety and technology upgrades, and create specialized career and technical programs such as aerospace engineering.

In Ohio, voters approved Issue 19, a tax levy and a bond issue for Toledo Public Schools. The five-year levy will cover the district’s operating expenses, and $99 million in improvement bonds will be used to develop three academies: a business academy, a construction and architectural design academy with an outdoor construction lab, and an educator academy. And voters passed Issue 49, a levy for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District that is expected to raise about $50 million. Funds will be used to maintain facilities, preserve student and family health services, and improve school safety. 

Voters in Florida approved a half-penny sales tax that the School District of Palm Beach County will use to pay for improvements to schools, including replacing aging roofs, renovating restrooms, and upgrading lighting and HVAC systems. A referendum was approved that will provide Pinellas County Schools with funds to preserve music, art and reading classes; recruit teachers; and increase salaries for teachers and support staff. And voters approved a tax referendum that Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa will use to provide higher teacher compensation.

In Texas, voters approved Proposition A, which will provide the Austin Independent School District $41 million for teacher and staff raises, instructional coaches, content interventionists, and mental health support.

Voters in Minneapolis approved a tech levy that will increase the amount of funding for Minneapolis Public Schools by $20 million annually. According to district officials, the tech levy will not significantly increase the amount of money the district spends on technology or add new technology initiatives. Instead, it would minimize cuts to other district areas by allowing the general funds currently spent on technology to be used for other programs and services.