SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Californians will vote next year whether the state should issue $15 billion in bonds for school construction and modernization projects.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday placing the bond on the March 2020 ballot. He says improving physical conditions in schools will improve students' educational experiences.
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Nine billion dollars will go to facilities serving students in pre-school through 12th grade. Two billion dollars each will go to the University of California system, the California State University system and community colleges.
Local governments have to provide matching funds. But the state will provide a greater share of the money for districts with high percentages of low income, foster care and English learning students.
Principal Nate Mcgill from Ethel I. Baker Elementary School in Sacramento told ABC10 the funding is much needed in his school district.
“Our school district has a lot of old buildings and some of those building need renovations and updates for our students. Our district fluctuates in size between schools. So, sometimes our facilities need bigger rooms, for example our multipurpose room could use an upgrade, our front office could use an upgrade so do our fields at many of our facilities. In general, we do a good job keeping kids safe but were always needing improvements,” McGill said.
Newsom says he's confident voters will approve the bonds.
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