San Francisco – Today the “Yes on 1D” campaign hosted a campaign kick-off press conference at San Francisco’s George Washington High School to highlight how Prop. 1D, the statewide school construction bond measure on the November ballot, will help make local schools safer in the event of an earthquake, relieve overcrowding to help improve student learning, and provide the technical and vocational training our kids need to compete in the global economy.
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CTA President Barbara E. Kerr addresses crowd at Prop 1D news conference. |
The California State Architect has said that more than 7,000 schools in our state may not be safe in the event of an earthquake. Bay Area public schools and college campuses are expected to receive over $1.5 billion in funding from Prop. 1D if it passes, including funds set aside to retrofit schools.
“With half a million children born in California each year and 6.5 million students already in our public school system, many school districts continue to grow and many more are severely overcrowded,” said Barbara E. Kerr, President of the California Teachers Association. “Prop. 1D is a crucial investment that will provide funding to make our school buildings earthquake-safe and reduce overcrowding in classrooms.”
Speakers at the event included Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Barbara E. Kerr, President of the California Teachers Association, Ed Murray, President of the San Francisco Community College Federation of Teachers, Robert Corrigan, President of San Francisco State University, Gwen Chan, Superintendent of San Francisco School District and Dennis Kelly, President of the United Educators of San Francisco.
“Many students want and need career-technical education and vocational training, but our schools don’t have facilities to accommodate them,” said Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Prop. 1D updates our schools with new technology and builds updated facilities so that all students are given the opportunity to succeed. California’s future depends on their success.”
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Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell speaks at San Francisco news conference on Prop. 1D.
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Prop. 1D also ensures that local school districts that have passed local bond measures will receive the “matching” state funds they are owed. Funds from the previous statewide school bond are expected to run out early next year. San Francisco currently has a local school bond measure on the ballot, Prop. A, that would allow local schools to benefit from the Prop. 1D statewide matching funds.
“Both measures are important to our schools here in San Francisco,” said Superintendent Gwen Chan. “The successful passage of each measure will ensure that San Francisco receives $450 million of local funds, plus a match of up to $30 million from the State to renovate and modernize 62 of our schools.”
Prop. 1D includes funding for California’s growing community colleges and state universities (UC and CSU). With community colleges serving 2.5 million students every year, and California’s universities expected to grow to accommodate nearly 650,000 students, funding to modernize and upgrade teaching and research facilities is critical to ensuring they remain competitive in a global economy.
The bond measure is also subject to strong accountability provisions to guarantee that every single dollar goes to improving schools for students in California. Funds from 1D will be subjected to independent audits, and misusing them is a crime, punishable by time in jail. This information will be made available to the public so taxpayers can ensure their money is spent properly and will NOT go to waste.