Prop. 1A for Better Schools

Voters should not be confused by two ballot measures that promise class size reduction in California public schools. Proposition 8 has no reason even to be on a statewide ballot. The smart choice is Proposition 1A, a statewide bond issue that deserves a yes vote.

Officially titled the “Class Size Reduction Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 1998,” Proposition 1A is a $9.2-billion bond measure that would replenish the only source of state matching money for construction of new schools and colleges. The funds would help reduce class sizes, relieve overcrowding and accommodate a predicted influx of students at every level of public education.

A worthwhile investment in California schools, Proposition 1A would also pay to modernize and expand campuses, wire schools for computers, build laboratories and help make all campuses earthquake-safe. A special oversight committee would help ensure that the funds are not wasted, and local school districts would be required to match each state dollar. The bonds would be sold gradually, so as not to push the state’s debt limit too high.

School bonds must be approved by voters; they can’t be dealt with legislatively. The opposite is true of Proposition 8, a hodgepodge of unrelated education policy measures that have no business cluttering the ballot. Even the title reflects disarray: “Public Schools, Permanent Class Size Reduction. Parent-Teacher Councils. Teacher Credentialing. Pupil Suspensions for Drug Possession. Chief Inspector’s Office.”

Proposition 8 is not needed to continue the state’s valuable class size reduction incentive program in the primary grades. No ballot measure is needed to encourage greater parental involvement at every school. Nor is a proposition necessary to improve teacher credentialing.

Parts of Proposition 8 are redundant. Local school boards already have the authority to set a zero tolerance policy on drug possession. The state doesn’t need the proposed chief inspector position, as it already has an independently elected state superintendent of public instruction, who should be responsible for ranking the quality of public schools and providing data on student achievement.

Voters should not be fooled. They should reject Proposition 8 and call on their lawmakers and school boards to tackle these issues, if needed, legislatively. Voters should approve Proposition 1A, the state school bond measure, for an honest improvement in California schools.