Tag Archives: November 2016 State School Bond Initiative

Los Angeles Times – Capitol Journal

School Bonds Used to be as Controversial as Mom & Apple Pie

Not Anymore Under Governor Jerry Brown

By George Skelton | October 3, 2016

It’s a sign of our contentious times and California’s contrarian governor that people are even bickering over routine state school construction bonds.

Selling state bonds to help local districts build new schools and modernize old ones used to be about as controversial as motherhood and apple pie. No longer.

Practically everything these days seems politically divisive.

Proposition 51 on the November state ballot is a low-profile issue for most voters, one of those wonky eye-glazers. But behind the scenes, the ballot initiative has stirred turmoil, mainly because of Gov. Jerry Brown.

Brown is bothered by the whole state school bond system. He thinks it’s too favorable to large and financially stable districts and is unfair toward smaller and poorer ones.

That’s vintage Brown. He tends to give middle-class districts short shrift and prioritizes spending on disadvantaged schools. That’s apparently a holdover from his early monk life as a Jesuit seminarian.

Continue reading →

Yes on 51: A Boost for Public Schools

Yes on 51: A Boost for Public Schools

By The Press Democrat Editorial Board | October 1, 2016

“…Proposition 51, a $9 billion bond act on the Nov. 8 ballot, is an opportunity to improve facilities for students in public schools and community colleges, including those here in Sonoma County.

…Tom Torlakson, the state’s school superintendent, said the alternative to Proposition 51 is diverting “precious funding away from teaching and learning activities,” and the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce says the initiative is critical to completing local school projects.

…Here in Sonoma County, at least five school districts and Santa Rosa Junior College have construction projects in progress after voters approved local school bonds in recent elections. Six local school districts have bond measures totaling $340 million on the Nov. 8 ballot. State bond money could stretch those local dollars further.

…Local voters have been generous with public schools, and there would be opportunities to leverage those dollars if the state’s fund for construction and repairs is recharged. With that in mind, The Press Democrat recommends a yes vote on Proposition 51.”

Read the full article here at The Press Democrat website.

To learn more about this vital measure, please visit YesOn51.com.

Yes On Proposition 51 Launches TV Ads

The Yes On Proposition 51 campaign today launched two television advertisements that highlight the broad and diverse support of the measure. Proposition 51 is a state school facilities bond that will help school districts repair and renovate aging school facilities and build new classrooms.

The 15-second spots focus on the support Prop 51 has garnered from the California State PTA, the California State Firefighters Association, and the California School Nurses Organization. The ads feature school nurse Phuong Tran, RN, and 2014 California Teacher of the Year Tim Smith. The ads will begin airing today in four regional media markets: San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Bay Area.

“Nothing is more disheartening than teaching students when our classrooms are falling apart and don’t provide access to student’s basic academic needs. To help students succeed, Proposition 51 will repair outdated and deteriorating schools and upgrade classroom technology, libraries, and computer and science labs,” said Florin High School teacher Tim Smith, the 2014 California Teacher of the Year.

Both spots can be viewed below:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH
(School Nurse)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH
(CA Teacher of the Year)

Yes on 51: San Diego County schools need state funds

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

By Lorena Gonzalez & Brian Maienschein

September 29, 2016

San Diego is the second most populous county in California, and yet — somehow — seems like we often are shortchanged when it comes to getting our fair share of state or federal funding for services that are critical to our community. However, we have an important opportunity this November to make certain that doesn’t happen when it comes to school facilities. Proposition 51 is a measure that will make sure San Diego County schools get badly needed resources to maximize taxpayer investment in school facilities and create safe, effective teaching and learning environments for students. Currently, school districts raise local funds to repair aging schools or build new classrooms to reduce overcrowding and then apply for matching grant funds from the state to maximize local taxpayer dollars. The matching state grant program provides up to 50 percent of funds to be used for eligible new school facility projects and up to 40 percent of renovation projects. This partnership between districts and the state has successfully revitalized older school facilities and built new schools in communities since 1998.

Currently, school districts raise local funds to repair aging schools or build new classrooms to reduce overcrowding and then apply for matching grant funds from the state to maximize local taxpayer dollars. The matching state grant program provides up to 50 percent of funds to be used for eligible new school facility projects and up to 40 percent of renovation projects. This partnership between districts and the state has successfully revitalized older school facilities and built new schools in communities since 1998. Even more importantly, the partnership between local communities and the state has helped lower wealth school districts
create the same quality facilities as those that serve wealthier neighborhoods.

Continue reading →

Yes on Prop 51 Campaign Announces Endorsement from the California School Employees Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Erin Shaw
September 29, 2016 916.930.0100

Yes on Prop 51 Campaign Announces Endorsement from the California School Employees Association

Today, the Yes on Proposition 51 campaign announced that the California School Employees Association has endorsed the state school facilities bond on the November ballot. Prop 51 will provide new bonding authority to help districts bring school facilities up to basic and health safety standards, complete major renovations to aging facilities like seismic retrofits and the removal of hazardous material and build new schools where needed. The California School Employees Association is the largest classified school employees union in the United States, representing more than 230,000 school support staff throughout California who members perform a wide range of essential work in public schools and community colleges.

“Representing more than 230,000 school support staff throughout the state, the California School Employees Association and our members know firsthand that too many school districts cannot afford to build new schools to accommodate enrollment growth or complete major renovations to older schools without state funds. That is why it is vital to pass Proposition 51 so that districts can continue to pair local dollars with state grant funds to meet facilities needs,” said Ben Valdepeña, Association President. “A number of California counties are anticipating enrollment growth and one third of all schools are more than 50 years old. We need to pass Proposition 51 to ensure school districts are getting the resources promised to create safe, clean and updated environments for students and staff.”

To date, Prop 51 has received the endorsements of Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, the California Taxpayers Association, the California Chamber of Commerce and 18 local chambers of commerce, elected officials from both sides of the aisle, both the California Democratic and Republican state parties, and more than 170 school districts. The full list of endorsements can be found here.

Because the last statewide school facilities bond was passed by California voters in 2006, there currently is a backlog of almost $2 billion in K-12 project applications and almost $500 million in priority community college projects. There is a pressing need to act now. With estimates projecting that K-14 schools will need $20 billion over the next decade to complete renovations and build new schools where there is growth, Prop 51 will provide $9 billion in matching state grant funds to help school districts meet future needs.

Many schools and community colleges are outdated and need repairs to meet basic health and safety standards and upgrade facilities to meet modern student education needs– including science labs, improved school technology, and facilities that support career technical education programs in both community colleges and K-12 schools. Prop 51 will help make sure local schools are updated and safe for students.

For more information on Proposition 51, visit www.YesOn51.com.

New PPIC Poll Puts Proposition 51 Below 50% – Join the Social Media Campaign!

September 21, 2016

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has issued new poll results showing support for Proposition 51 below 50%. Click here to view.

We need 50% plus one vote for Proposition 51 to pass on November 8, 2016. The poll shows Proposition 51 at 47% likely voters in support and 43% opposed. This is in stark contrast to the April 2016 PPIC poll, which showed 63% of likely voters supporting the measure.

Direct, targeted voter contact is critical to the success of Proposition 51. We can still win, but we need to get the message out to voters. This has been clear since we qualified for the ballot: voters will support Proposition 51 if they know about it and hear positive messages about it. Absent that education, which is dependent on a robust campaign, they will sadly vote no.

The Californians for Quality Schools (CQS) campaign is below its minimum budget for voter contact by 30%. CQS needs another $3 million to appropriately fund the campaign or the $9 billion (including $2 billion for community college projects) will be lost.

Please join with the Yes on 51 Social Media campaign!

Click here to like the CASH Facebook page.

Click here to like the YESON51 Facebook page.

Follow CASH and the YESON51 campaign on twitter!

Yes on Prop 51 Campaign Announces Endorsement from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Erin Shaw September 21, 2016 916.930.0100

Yes on Prop 51 Campaign Announces Endorsement from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer

Today, the Yes on Proposition 51 campaign announced that San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has endorsed the state school facilities bond on the November ballot. Prop 51 will provide $9 billion in new bonding authority to help districts bring school facilities up to basic and health safety standards, complete major renovations to aging facilities like seismic retrofits and the removal of hazardous material like asbestos or lead pipes, and build new schools where needed.

Continue reading →

San Francisco Chronicle Recommends: Yes on Prop. 51

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

sfc

Chronicle recommends: Yes on Prop. 51

By San Francisco Chronicle

September 9, 2016

“California voters have a chance in November to upgrade an overlooked part of the state’s crumbling public infrastructure. Proposition 51 would provide $9 billion in bond money to renovate aging classrooms and build new teaching facilities for the state’s shifting population.

Continue reading →

Yes on Prop 51 Announces Endorsements From 11 More School Districts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Erin Shaw

September 7, 2016 916.930.0100

Yes on Prop 51 Campaign Announces Endorsements From 11 More School Districts

Today, the Yes on Proposition 51 campaign announced that 11 more school districts have endorsed the state school facilities bond on the November ballot. Prop 51 will provide $9 billion in new bonding authority to help districts bring school facilities up to basic and health safety standards, complete major renovations to aging facilities like seismic retrofits and the removal of asbestos and lead pipes, and build new schools where needed.

Continue reading →

September Facility Planners Meeting Update

September 2, 2016

The CASH Facility Planners Meeting Update for September 2016 is now available and includes information regarding:

Proposition 51 – State School Bond
Legislative Update
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Pesticide or Cleaner?
Proposition 39: New Calculator Available, and CEC Identifies New EEP Submittal Deadline
State Allocation Board (SAB) September Meeting Highlights
CASH Welcomes New Members
2017 CASH / AIACC Leroy F. Greene Design & Planning Awards
Upcoming CASH Networking Mixers

Click here to download the Update. To download the list of Proposition 51 school board resolutions received thus far, please click here. To download a sample school board resolution, please click here. ~ CASH Staff

CASH Register

California School Facility News

Tag Archives: November 2016 State School Bond Initiative

Los Angeles Times – Capitol Journal

Yes on 51: A Boost for Public Schools

Yes On Proposition 51 Launches TV Ads

Yes on 51: San Diego County schools need state funds

Yes on Prop 51 Campaign Announces Endorsement from the California School Employees Association

New PPIC Poll Puts Proposition 51 Below 50% – Join the Social Media Campaign!

Yes on Prop 51 Campaign Announces Endorsement from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer

San Francisco Chronicle Recommends: Yes on Prop. 51

Yes on Prop 51 Announces Endorsements From 11 More School Districts

September Facility Planners Meeting Update