March 3, 2004
Schools Chief Jack O'Connell
Comments on Approval of Proposition 55
SAN LUIS OBISPO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued the following statement regarding passage of Proposition 55, the statewide school construction bond:
"After a long and occasionally tense night, I'm delighted to report this morning that with 100 percent of precincts reporting, Proposition 55 is passing by a margin of 50.6 to 49.4 percent.
"California voters have again demonstrated that they place a high priority on investing in strong public schools. By putting into effect the second step of the state's historic commitment to building and modernizing our school facilities, Californians have wisely placed our children's interests first.
"At a time when voters were asked to approve historic levels of debt, these results show what Wall Street and the financial community know: an investment in the future of our children is worth the interest and more. Schools built and remodeled with Prop. 55 funds will pay us dividends for generations to come. Certainly no child can be expected to learn when they are in a school with leaky roofs and outdated classrooms.
"Since instituting our accountability system, California test scores have gone up five years in a row. We expect a lot of children, and we should. But we have a dual sense of responsibility when requiring excellence from our children and tonight's vote continues California's end of the bargain.
"I am also pleased that Californians' commitment to our public schools was underscored up and down the state, with the approval of 49 out of 61 local school bond measures, which will provide nearly $8 billion in matching funds for school improvement."