A Lesson in Passing School Bonds

From the governor’s office to the local schoolyard, education has been a prominent topic. How do we better teach children? What will it cost to repair schools and build new ones? Will property owners pay more for better schools?

This month voters in two more Orange County school districts passed bond measures. Some opponents complained that the measures were victorious because the campaigns were so low-key that few voters noticed. The presidential primaries were in March, the general election will be in November, so having an election with just one issue on the ballot was an underhanded way to shake money out of residents’ pockets, goes the criticism.

But because school bonds require a two-thirds margin to pass, it should be easier for opponents to win. It does not take too many anti-tax activists to spread their message and defeat bond issues. The success of so many requests for higher taxes earmarked for schools is a measure of how effectively Orange County schools have made their cases.

Voters in the La Habra City School District passed a $16-million measure and those in Newport-Mesa Unified passed a $110-million measure, with both getting more than 70% of the ballots this month. The districts pointed to crowded portable classrooms, leaky plumbing and other problems in their pitches to voters.

An important component of both victories was the prospect of additional state funding: $10 million for La Habra, $53 million for Newport-Mesa. That consideration is a motivator for districts. Even when bonds go down to defeat, as occurred in the Anaheim City School District two years ago, the district can be eligible for state funds on an emergency basis.

It is true the special election did not draw many voters. However, other Orange County school bond elections have coincided with regular balloting. On the day of the March primary, the Magnolia School District in north Orange County handily won approval of its $9.7-million bond issue.

Districts need to enlist as many supporters as possible, from business people to parents who see the need for repairs in their children’s schools to residents who believe in public education. Providing fiscal oversight often is an added incentive for passage. The campaigns may be low profile, but they still are difficult to win.