Bonds for Brea

Duct tape can do only so much.

There comes a time when new pipes are needed because the old plumbing is beyond repair. Electrical systems wear out, grow obsolete, sometimes become dangerous. Roofs need to be replaced.

That’s as true for schools as it is for houses. The Brea Olinda Unified School District has made a convincing case in support of its $27-million bond measure on the June 8 ballot. Voters should say yes to the request for funds.

Education has become the mantra of politicians lately. The state of the state’s schools has rushed to the forefront of concern. Fortunately, the economy has been good as well. The convergence has helped pry new money loose for schools.

In November, California voters approved Proposition 1A. It provided for $9.2 billion in bonds, with most going to build new schools to relieve overcrowding, to repair schools and to wire classrooms and libraries for computers.

Districts that can provide local matching funds go to the head of the line in applying for state funds. So Brea can leverage its money, if the voters agree next month, with the state funds.

The statewide measure required only a majority vote to pass. Local bond measures require two-thirds, a high hurdle.

Anaheim City School District learned that the hard way last year. More than half the district’s voters agreed on the need for a bond measure to build new elementary schools and repair existing ones. Unfortunately for the district, the measure did not get the needed two-thirds.

One reason was lukewarm support from the business community.

The Brea Olinda district’s campaigners for a bond appear to have learned the lesson. Among the measure’s endorsements is one from the Brea Chamber of Commerce. The local PTA, teachers groups and mayor also have expressed support.

District Supt. Peggy Lynch says seven of the district’s nine schools are more than 25 years old. The district budgets about $150,000 a year for maintenance, but estimates it needs the $27 million plus nearly $11 million in state funds to do the recommended repairs and improvements.

Orange County voters, long known for looking askance at tax increases, voted down seven requests for school bonds from 1975 until last year. Then Buena Park broke through, winning passage of a $13.8-million bond issue with nearly 75% of the voters approving.

Lottery proceeds help schools, but those funds can’t be spent on repairs. By contrast, bond funds can’t be used for teachers’ salaries.

Brea officials solicited suggestions from the community before deciding to seek bond approval. More importantly, they sought community support. Two-thirds remains a high bar, but voters would do well to approve the request on election day.