Community Colleges, such as Santa Monica Community College, would be eligible to receive some of the $1.5 billion for renovations of the $10 billion asked for, if Prop. 2 passes.
Proposition 2, which has been labeled “Californians for Quality Schools,” asks taxpayers to back bonds of $10 billion. It is estimated that Prop. 2 will ultimately cost $18 billion when repaid with interest. The voter guide noted: “A bond works like a government credit card—paying off that credit card requires the government to spend more of its residents tax dollars.”
The State’s Legislative Analyst has said this would increase state costs by about $500 million a year for 35 years to repay the bond. California already has over $109 billion of outstanding and unissued bonds.
The Reason Foundation pointed out that school districts in California already have $220 billion in debt and liabilities, which is over $40,000 per student. And most of it is bond debt. “Instead of the state taking on debt to make it easier for local school districts to also take on debt, the state needs to adopt stricter standards for when capital projects—and school closures—are necessary.”
According to proponents there is a need because “Many schools were built over 70 years ago and 38 percent of children attend schools that don’t meet minimum standards when they are exposed to dangers like asbestos, mold, unsafe drinking water and extreme heat.” (Note: California has specific laws regarding asbestos in schools, including standards for air monitoring and worker training for asbestos abatement projects.)
“School districts have an annual budget. So, if these repairs were really needed, these repairs should be budgeted in their annual budget,” said Francisco Alanis of the Libertarian Party. “It’s just that these school boards are not living within their means.”
The bond would include: $8.5 billion for public schools, including charter schools, with a higher share going to school districts with lower assessed property values and whose student body are low-income English learners. Community colleges would receive $1.5 billion.
What about lottery money that was supposed to go to schools? When voters approved of the lottery, 34 cents of every dollar was slated for education. In 2020, The California State Auditor found the lottery had shorted schools tens of millions of dollars (click here).
Are there ways to raise money for schools other than asking retirees to pay more to renovate schools?
Require students in community college to pay more than a minimum amount. At Santa Monica Community College, if someone is taking a class while in high school, the tuition is waived. A regular student pays $46 a unit (12 units would be $552 a semester), but of the 31,000 students attending SMC, more than half are given tuition assistance through the California College Promise Grant or the California Dream Act, which provides free community college.
Additionally, many bemoan the fact that California schools, which at one time led the nation, are not doing the job in the classroom. View The Nation’s Report Card click here.
The Reason Foundation (click here.) writes that nearly three quarters of California school districts have declining enrollment, and more than 1,400 schools have lost at least 20% of their students since the pandemic. Also, federal staffing and financial data 2002 to 2020 exposed that despite no aggregate change in enrollment over that period, total staff in California public schools increased by 6.7%, and non-teaching staff increased by 26.3%.
Support Prop 2
As of September 5, supporters had raised $3.6 million and included the California Building Industry Association with $1 million and the Coalition for Adequate School Housing Issues Committee with $1 million. Also supporting the Prop are the California Teachers Association, California School Nurses Organization and Community College League of California and the Los Angeles Times.
Against Prop 2
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli.
The Daily News writes: “No on Proposition 2: A highly expensive, poorly designed state bond for schools.”
Thank you very much for providing timely analysis of lottery funding and public school system. There is a real need for upgrading badly funded public schools but unfortunately the state of CA is not managing the funds properly. There is no accountability. It is a NO vote for proposition 2.