SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION: SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O’CONNELL URGES CALIFORNIANS TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS BY VOTING FOR LOCAL SCHOOL BOND MEASURES

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

November 03, 2008

CONTACT: Hilary McLean
PHONE: 916-319-0818
E-MAIL: hmclean@cde.ca.gov


            SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today called on California voters to support local school bond measures on Tuesday’s ballot.

            “Historically, California voters have overwhelmingly supported local school bonds and parcel tax proposals. However, with all of the frightening news about our economy recently, I am concerned that voters in our state may be hesitant to vote for these measures. I strongly urge Californians to carefully consider voting for local bonds and parcel tax measures on their November ballot in support of our schools. School bonds and parcel tax measures support local jobs and provide investments that can help stimulate the economy. They also help our students by protecting important education programs and provide funding for needed school construction and repairs.

            “It is now more critical than ever to support schools in our communities.

Public education was cut by $3 billion in the current budget, and Governor Schwarzenegger has warned that the state budget is already at least $8 billion out of balance. He anticipates proposing billions more in cuts to education to close the gap. I will do everything I can to oppose cuts to public education at the state level. In the meantime, we can all do something to help prepare students for success in the increasingly competitive global economy by supporting local school bonds and parcel tax proposals.”

            There are 96 local school bonds and 21 local parcel tax proposals up for consideration this election. O'Connell is the author of the voter-approved initiative that lowered the two-thirds voter-approval threshold for the passage of local school facility bonds to 55 percent, allowing more communities to raise funds for local school construction projects.