Deal of the Year 2024: Los Angeles Unified School District (Far West)

The Los Angeles Unified School District's $2.97 billion General Obligation Refunding Bonds represented the largest GO bond financing of the year. This record-breaking transaction refunded over $2.6 billion of Build America Bonds, securing an estimated $175 million in property tax savings for LAUSD residents. The financing leveraged extraordinary redemption provisions to mitigate federal subsidy risks, positioning LAUSD as a financial innovator among educational issuers. By securing investor confidence and setting a replicable model for future issuers, LAUSD's strategy demonstrates the transformative impact that proactive financial management can have on a school district's long-term fiscal health.