The latest from the YES campaign

Thousands of California schools are in disrepair, waiting on critical upgrades to classrooms, roofs, plumbing and air-conditioning systems. But the state’s school repair fund is running out of money.

Proposition 2 on the Nov. 5 ballot would authorize the state to issue a $10- billion bond to modernize, renovate and repair public schools, as well as community college campuses. Of the money, $8.5 billion would go toward TK- 12 schools while community colleges would get $1.5 billion.

Investment in school infrastructure has been lagging for decades since Prop. 13 was passed in 1978, limiting property tax increases. Property taxes were the major funding source for schools, and the state's investment hasn’t backfilled to cover the need. 

If approved, Prop. 2 will funnel $8.5 billion to TK-12 schools and $1.5 billion to community colleges to renovate, repair and construct facilities. 

The measure would make essential upgrades to schools throughout the Central Coast

SANTA CRUZ, CA - Central Coast leaders from Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Ventura counties are rallying behind Proposition 2, the statewide school bond initiative that will help schools across the state make critical improvements.

SACRAMENTO - Today, the Yes on Prop 2 campaign launched its statewide paid media campaign, with an ad that will run across digital platforms. The ad, called “First Day,” highlights the critical components of the measure that will provide resources to upgrade public schools across the state.

SACRAMENTO - In celebration of National Custodian Day, the Yes on Prop 2 to Repair Local Public Schools Campaign applauds the work of school custodians across California.

Prop 2 will help districts — including those historically overlooked by state bonds — ensure students can learn in clean, safe and modern environments. 

Voters should approve Prop 2.

For too long, California’s local public schools have gone without essential repairs and upgrades and unfortunately, it’s our students who suffer the consequences. Luckily, we have the opportunity to improve the learning environment for students across the state and right here in San Diego, with Proposition 2.

Bay Area, CA - From the South Bay to Marin County, organizations across the Bay Area have joined in support of Proposition 2. The measure will make the most urgent repairs and upgrades in our local public schools by authorizing a $10 billion investment – without raising any taxes or fees – to make sure our students are safe and ready to learn.

Sacramento, CA - Equality California is the most recent statewide organization to join a growing number of groups across the state in support of Proposition 2.

The measure  will make the most urgent repairs and upgrades in our local public schools by authorizing a $10 billion investment – without raising any taxes or fees – to make sure our students are safe and ready to learn.

Sacramento, CA - Just two months after Prop 2 was put on the ballot, more than 120 organizations across party lines have signed on in support, showing the urgent need for investment in our schools.

Prop 2 is a broad based coalition supported by teachers, school nurses, the California Democratic and Republican parties, school districts, Boards of Education, the League of Women Voters of California, the California Labor Federation, business groups, and social justice organizations, among others.

The hotter it is, the harder it is for kids to learn. Parents across L.A. county school districts have long raised the alarm about poorly functioning or no air conditioning at all in their childrens’ classrooms.

What the research says

Kids are going back to school. The heat can hurt their learning.

For every one degree the temperature goes up, performance on standardized tests goes down by 1%, according to UCLA research. In schools without air conditioning, 90-degree days can reduce students’...

“For decades, too many of our schools have gone without the necessary electrical updates and air conditioned spaces to combat excessive heat,” said David Goldberg, President, California Teachers Association. “Prop 2 will provide schools with properly equipped facilities that will help keep their learning environment safe for our students and educators. With temperatures expected to soar in the 100s across Southern California, and hotter Septembers on the horizon, the time to act is now.” 

This is a common sense measure that should be approved. Public schools and community colleges will benefit from this funding. Prop 2 also ensures that funding only be used for projects approved by local school and community college districts. Vote YES on Prop 2.

The Sentinel Editorial Board recommends a Yes vote on Prop. 2 because children in California deserve school facilities that are in good repair. Providing no funding would hurt all students.

Two large bond measures will appear on California’s Nov. 5 statewide ballot. One proposes to fund long-delayed school improvements and the other responds to the consequences — such as massive wildfires, floods and droughts — of our changing climate. Both deserve voters’ support.

California voters will decide in the November election if they want to vote for a $10 billion bond for schools.

If approved, the $10 billion bond would be for new construction and modernization of the K-12 schools, in addition to community colleges. California lawmakers voted last week to place the $10 billion dollar bond on the November ballot.