The Benefits Behind Proposition 51

After a decade of insufficient renovations in schools, Proposition 51 has been proposed to renew these repairs and will be included in the November 2016 ballot. This motion authorizes the state to issue $9 billion in new bonds to pay for urgently needed repairs and renovation of existing schools, as well as construction of new ones. The money would be used to pay for charter school facilities, vocational education facilities, and community college construction and renovation. The proposition should be approved because it would benefit all schools in California, especially small districts that cannot raise enough money through local bond measures.

Jenny Hannah, chief of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, supports Proposition 51 full-heartedly as she believes that it will fulfill the dire reconstruction needs of small schools. For instance, blue-collared schools such as Parkside Elementary in Pittsburg receives less money from communities which comes at a disadvantage, considering that buildings cost the same in Pittsburg as they do in other areas. Without this proposition, it will be difficult for these districts to carry out renovations because large bonds are difficult to collect locally. Many districts rely on state partnership for funding.

Along with benefitting small school districts, Proposition 51 would positively impact all schools as a whole. Not only would these small localized districts be receiving funding from the state, but for all districts. The money could be used in its best way to support schools and colleges, providing only advantages for all students. The repairments made with the money from this proposition can last to prevent future impairments.