By: Jada Pan, Staff Writer
This November, California voters will decide whether the state should be allowed to borrow $10 billion for the repair and construction of public school facilities. The passage of Proposition 2 would help K-12 schools and community colleges meet basic safety and health standards with needed renovations funded by general bond obligations. So what does it mean for us?
Previously in 2020, Measure L, a similar construction bond, was approved by local taxpayers. As a result, summer renovation projects across all schools in the San Mateo Union High School District took place. This bond measure funded Mills’ new sports complex as well as the current construction at the front of the school.
Prop 2 is similar to these previous bonds, however is now placed by the state instead. A bond measure allows the government to borrow money that it will later pay back with interest. Randall Booker, the SMUHSD superintendent, explained how it works.
“We basically did the same thing that the state’s doing,” said Superintendent Booker. “We asked our local taxpayers, will you take out a loan and pay it on your property tax bill? Pay it back every year for 30 years in order for us to do some $300 million worth of construction projects.”
Many schools are in need of renovations and repairs to their old facilities as they continue to deteriorate with age. Yet, most don’t have the sufficient money to fund such costly projects and need support from a bond.
“The only way that most school districts can either modernize or build new facilities is through submitting an application for approval or for funding if a state facilities bond gets passed,” said Superintendent Booker. “If Prop 2 passes, and if we are awarded based on our applications, we will get millions of dollars back to the school district to help us continue to improve our facilities.”
However, opponents of Prop 2 say the increase of bond obligations means the government will have to spend more tax funds to repay with interest. Taxpayers must repay the loan and may affect property taxes for homeowners.
Superintendent Booker noted the importance of investing in local school facilities, as it represents their value in education.
“When you have better schools, your property values go up, which means your home is worth more money. Your neighborhoods are nicer,” he said. “If you think of it this way, facilities are really a symbol of what a school district thinks is important for its students.”
Right now is the time for students to make their voices heard. Students who are not old enough to vote can still get involved by working at polling stations on election day or talking to parents. Ms. Donohoe, an ethnic studies and history teacher, reminded students of age to vote as a way to engage in democracy.
“How many stories will we look at in US history of Americans who have fought for the access to vote? Use your right that people have fought tooth and nail, for people to be able to have this right and this freedom, and it is not given in every place in the world. Exercising our right to vote for democracy is what shaped every piece of progress that the country has made because of the American people.”
