Media Contacts:
Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Communications
communications@capta.org
Ignacio Barragan, Assistant Executive Director
ibarragan@capta.org / 916.440.1985
SACRAMENTO – December 19, 2019 – California State PTA announces its support for Proposition 13 (2020), the $15 billion school facility bond measure that will appear on the March 3, 2020 statewide ballot. With a long history of advocating for statewide public education facilities bond measures, California State PTA joins an extensive list of school districts and educational advocacy organizations that also support the measure, formally known as the Public Preschool, K-12, and College Health and Safety Bond Act of 2020.
“California State PTA is proud to continue its long legacy of support for school facilities bonds,” said Celia Jaffe, President of California State PTA. “It is clear to our members that improving school facilities is critical to achieving the positive impact we strive for on behalf of all children and families across the state.”
In addition to providing an unprecedented $9 billion for the K-12 system and $2 billion for each of the three higher education segments (UC, CSU, and Community Colleges), this bond measure includes important stipulations that create more equity in how funds are distributed between wealthy and poorer districts, and provides for natural disaster assistance, remediation of lead in water, protections for smaller districts, and funds for preschools.
“California State PTA believes that this measure will make California’s schools healthier, more secure and more conducive to learning,” Jaffe said. “Our children deserve to flourish in schools that are safe and modern, regardless of their community’s socioeconomic status.”
California State PTA considers approval of this new bond measure to be essential. Not only will it ensure the continued flow of funds to improve the environment in which children learn, but it will also allow districts to provide facilities for arts instruction, science learning labs, and reduced class sizes.
Proposition 13 (2020) is one of two school funding measures that California State PTA is supporting in 2020. The second measure is the California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2020, which will appear on the November 2020 ballot if it qualifies. Both measures align with PTA’s mission to advocate for the education, health and well-being of children and youth. California State PTA recognizes that appropriate and adequate funding directly impacts the success of students, families and communities across the state.