California to vote on bond for schools in upcoming November election

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- 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.

This is something that Rosa Maria Serrano, who lives in Salinas, said is really important for people to vote on when November comes around.

"I think it's really good because students need to learn in a safe place, and I think it's important to repair the schools," said Serrano.

If the state school bond is passed, it would be divided into two parts: $8.5 billion for K-12 schools and $1.5 billion for community colleges.

This is something that Alisal Union School District Superintendent, Jim Koenig, said is important.

"The sources of funding for facilities, in particular new construction of facilities, are number one. We get about half of the construction costs out of the state bonds," said Superintendent Koenig.

Superintendent Koenig said they're in the process of planning the construction of their 13th elementary school, close to Everett Alvarez High School, in about 5 years. He said if the state bond passes in the November election, that would help with the construction cost.

"A new school costs $40 million, so there's making sure you've got the financing," said Koenig.

Superintendent Koenig said construction for schools will depend on developer fees as well as state and local bonds. As for Serrano, she said she can't vote but that she is going to tell her daughters to make the change.

"I'm going to tell them about it so they can get out there and vote," said Serrano.