SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL BOND INITIATIVE (PROPOSITION 1A)

By Peter K. Rundle

I support Proposition 1A, which will authorize a multi-billion dollar bond issuance for school construction. With a rapidly expanding population in California, as well as in Irvine, it is essential to have adequate school facilities so that we are able to continue our class size reducation efforts, while at the same time move away from the use of portable classrooms.

The existing solution to the problem of inadequate school facilities has been to utilize portable classrooms. This is not an acceptable long-term solution. Rather, more funds must be made available through this bond issuance to enable school districts to construct new schools and permanent additions to existing schools.

The shortage of classroom space is, and will continue to be, compounded by our commitment to class size reduction. No one would deny that the benefits of class size reduction are real and substantial. However, there will come a time when our ability to continue with the class size reduction program, and certainly our ability to expand it, will be tested by the lack of classroom space.

Passage of Proposition 1A is essential to our ability to have enough classroom space and other facilities to meet the needs of our community now and in the years to come.