Proposition 1A has funding implications for the CSU.
Proposition 1A, titled the Class Size Reduction Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 1998, asks voters to approve $6.7 billion for K-12 and $2.5 billion for higher education, the latter to be split evenly among California Community Colleges, the CSU, and the UC.
Senate Bill 50 placed the measure on the ballot. It passed the Senate 32-6 and Assembly 69-9, then was signed by Gov. Wilson on Aug. 27 so it could be included on a supplemental ballot for November.
Below are some points of information about the measure of interest to the campus community:
• Proposition 1A will help to repair, expand, and improve higher education facilities. The funding would move forward facilities projects at the top of the CSU's capital project outlay list, including the $14.3 million Education/Classroom Facility at CSU, Chico.
• California's community colleges and universities are facing an enrollment surge, called Tidal Wave II, expected to bring an estimated half-million new students into the college and university systems by 2005.
• In December 1997, the California Post-secondary Education Commission reported that California needs to spend $1 billion per year for at least the next ten years on its higher education system—$625 million per year simply to maintain the existing system. Plus, another $400 million is needed each year to accommodate student growth.
• Proposition 1A contains accountability requirements, assuring that bond funds are used specifically for school facility projects. The funds cannot be used for administration or other purposes.
• All previous bond funds have been used or dedicated. Public colleges and universities are unable to raise capital funds through local bond measures.
• Regarding K-12 needs, studies estimate nearly 100,000 new students are entering the public school system each year. The state needs 22,000 new classrooms.
• More than 60 percent of K-12 schools are more than 30 years old, and many don't meet current structural and earthquake safety standards.
• Proposition 1A provides funding to repair and rewire older K-12 schools, or build new schools with up-to-date wiring.
• To receive funds from Proposition 1A, local communities must provide 50 percent of the costs of building new K-12 schools and 20 percent of the costs of repairing older schools. They can raise local money through any combination of developer fees, local bonds or other sources.
JW