Calif. Flush With Wave of School Bond Votes

By Robert C. Johnston

Faced with mounting school facility needs, Californians are voting on, and passing, record numbers of local school construction bonds. But in the state Capitol, feuding lawmakers remain paralyzed over a statewide bond for schools that many say is urgently needed.

The developments mean mixed news for the state's K-12 population, which is growing by 80,000 students a year, and complicating a massive effort to shrink K-3 class sizes to 20 students. ( "Class-Size Cuts in Calif. Bring Growing Pains," April 30, 1997.)

"The economy is buoyant, and people vote their pocketbook, so it's a good time to vote for a bond," said Jim Murdoch, a lobbyist for the Coalition for Adequate School Housing, a Sacramento-based group representing school districts, county education offices,...