LOS ANGELES - A diverse coalition of state leaders, including California Teachers Association President Wayne Johnson, today called for voter approval of Proposition 47 because of its critical role in meeting the challenges of educating students throughout California.
The Yes on 47 campaign released a list compiled by the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH) that revealed the school districts in the state with the most severely overcrowded schools. The list shows 94 school districts - including Los Angeles Unified - in 25 counties where student enrollment levels are at least 200 percent above the state standard set by the California Department of Education.
Prop. 47 will authorize $13.05 billion in bonds to build new classrooms to meet growing enrollments and to repair and upgrade old and out-of-date facilities at elementary, middle, and high schools as well as community colleges and universities.
The Los Angeles news conference was held in front of Fair Avenue Elementary School in the San Fernando Valley which has an enrollment three times the population size for which it was designed.
"California students deserve to learn in the best schools and classrooms possible, anything less is unacceptable," said Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante. "A 'yes' vote on Prop. 47 is an investment in our children's education and in California's future."
The president of the California Teachers Association said overcrowded and rundown facilities hamper student learning.
"Students can't learn and teachers can't teach when we're meeting in auditoriums and cafeterias, when we have two teachers sharing one classroom and when we have schools that aren't wired for the learning tools of the 21st century. Prop. 47 will improve student achievement by giving our kids the classrooms and schools they deserve." said Wayne Johnson.
The list of the most overcrowded districts showed schools in all parts of the state in dire need of help.
"The entire education community stands behind Prop. 47 because schools in L.A. Unified will benefit, schools in the San Gabriel Valley will benefit and schools in areas like the far reaches of Kern County will benefit," said Cecelia Mansfield, legislation director for the California State PTA.
"Overcrowded classrooms, rundown facilities and out-of-date buildings hamper education no matter where you live. Prop 47 fights the problem throughout California."
Other speakers said voters can be assured Prop. 47 funds will be spent as intended.
"Prop. 47 funds can only be spent on construction and renovation," said John Chiang, chairman of the State Board of Equalization. "This money cannot be used for bureaucracy or wasteful overhead. And all projects will have to comply with strict accountability measures, including annual reporting requirements.
The California Taxpayers' Association recently released a study demonstrating Prop. 47 is a good deal for taxpayers.
"A 'yes' vote on Prop. 47 is one of the strongest pro-taxpayer messages that voters can send," said Carol Evans, CalTax vice president. "A 'yes' vote on Prop. 47 tells state leaders that conditions in over-crowded, deteriorating classrooms must be addressed, and must be paid for within the existing budget and without raising taxes."
News conferences were also held today in San Jose and Sacramento.
Prop. 47 is supported by a diverse and growing coalition, including the California School Boards Association, California State PTA, California Teachers Association, Californians for Higher Education, California Business Roundtable, League of Women Voters of California, California Taxpayers' Association, California Labor Federation (AFL-CIO), Coalition for Adequate School Housing, California Federation of Teachers, California Chamber of Commerce, Taxpayers for Accountability and Better Schools, and the Congress of California Seniors.