Copyright© 2001 by School Services of California, Inc.

Volume 14                   For Publication Date: December 7, 2001             No. 25

School Bond is Now "November or Bust"

Even though the chances of placing a school bond on the March Ballot were dwindling daily, the possibility was still at least theoretically alive until December 5, 2001,when Governor Davis—who had been the most influential proponent—threw in his hand.

He had been pushing for a $4 billion bond in March, followed by a $6 billion measure in November, with the accelerated schedule in part to stimulate the economy. But many in the political and educational community—including the CTA—thought this was flawed strategy, inasmuch as the March Primary’s voters are likely to be more conservative and less likely to approve a bond. Additionally, they thought that a March bond attempt would lessen the chances for passing a second bond just eight months later.

According to the Los Angeles Times, a Davis spokeswoman said the administration will now work to place a $10 billion bond on the November 2002 ballot, with two more $10 billion bonds to be rolled out in 2004 and 2006.

Readers may recall, Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) was pushing a bond measure (AB 16) this past legislative session. His proposal was amended during the final days of the 2001 session to place a $11.4 billion package on the November ballot. However, last minute negotiations fell through. Hertzberg has indicated he plans to bring his proposal back before the Legislature when it reconvenes in January 2002.

Assembly Republican leader Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) said that his caucus would support the concept of a school bond package, but only if the proceeds are distributed equitably. There have been significant discussions about providing the community colleges with a larger share of the higher education portion of the bond measure (rather than the traditional one-third split between the segments of higher education).

The major question the Governor and Legislature will have to consider is the size of the bond. Based on discussions to this point, the bond approved by the Legislature will likely be the largest on record (Proposition 1A, the last bond measure was in the amount of $9.1 billion). A concern is whether or not the voters will support a bond measure that may exceed $10 billion during the current downturn in the economy. The need for a bond measure is without question. Expansion of existing facilities, modernization and construction of new facilities must be addressed if the public education segments are to address the tidal wave of new students that will be at their doorsteps.

Stay tuned.