In this election, voters are being asked to consider several large bond issues that would increase support for our public schools. State Proposition 51 authorizes $9 billion in general obligation bonds for K-12 and community colleges. Locally, measure I2016 would authorize $135 million for the S.B. Unified School District and measure J2016 would authorize $58 million for SBUSD elementary school facilities.
While we all recognize the vital importance of education to our nation, and we have fond memories of teachers who set us on our paths to success through their interest in us, we must be aware of the waste and failures of the existing system. These include millions of dollars wasted on thousands of patronage jobs in our educational bureaucracy, and thousands of poor teachers protected by antiquated rules of tenure. Do I need to remind that the famous report on the deficiencies of our school system, A Nation at Risk, was published in 1983 — a generation ago ?
I suggest we withhold support for any new school bond issues until our public education system reforms itself: