San Diego School Districts Face Transparency Challenges in Bond Spending

A recent report from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association has revealed significant disparities in transparency among school districts in San Diego County regarding voter-approved bond spending. The 2025 School Bond Transparency Report Card evaluated 23 districts with active bonds for the 2024-25 fiscal year, assessing over $23.5 billion in programs funded by taxpayer-approved bonds. While some districts achieved commendable transparency, others fell short of expectations.

The report highlights that, on average, school districts scored around 90 percent, equivalent to an A-. This score reflects how well districts provide accessible information about their spending, including oversight committee agendas, annual audits, project lists, and itemized expenditures available online.

Top Performers and Underachievers

Several districts stood out for their high transparency scores. Notably, Vista Unified, Miracosta Community College District, Grossmont Union High School District, and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District received A+ ratings. San Diego Unified and San Ysidro also performed well, indicating a commitment to open financial practices.

Conversely, Borrego Springs received an F, indicating substantial deficiencies in transparency. Smaller districts such as Lemon Grove and National School District were also near the bottom of the rankings. Notably, Chula Vista Elementary saw a significant decline, dropping from an A- in 2024 to a D+ in the current evaluation, as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

District Responses to Transparency Concerns

District leaders have acknowledged the findings and expressed intentions to improve transparency. Marianna Vinson, Superintendent of Lemon Grove, stated that the district “is committed to transparency” and is actively implementing measures to enhance reporting and audit processes. Similarly, Giovanna Castro, a spokesperson for Chula Vista, emphasized that the district “values feedback” and is working to resolve issues related to their website that have impacted the accessibility of bond-related information.

Officials from Borrego Springs and the National School District did not respond to requests for comment, highlighting ongoing concerns about their transparency practices.

The timing of this report is significant as many districts continue to utilize long-term bond proceeds for campus upgrades and construction projects. For example, Grossmont Union’s bond program has funded new science buildings, advanced technology initiatives, and improvements to sports and performing arts facilities. Reports indicate that the district recently approved a refinancing plan projected to save taxpayers approximately $18.9 million, according to East County Magazine.

As taxpayers look ahead to future bond measures, the report emphasizes the importance of transparency. Residents are encouraged to evaluate whether their local districts provide easy access to key documents, such as oversight committee minutes, recent audits, project lists, and itemized expenditures on their websites. The findings suggest that many districts still have work to do to maintain public trust in their financial commitments.