BIG LEAD FOR R BOND; PHOTO FINISH FOR 55.

Byline: Jennifer Radcliffe Staff Writer

A $3.87 billion bond issue for school construction and modernization in the Los Angeles Unified School District surged to a strong lead late Tuesday, while the state school construction bond was locked in a seesaw battle in a close race.

If passed by more than 55 percent of LAUSD voters, Measure R would raise property taxes to provide $1.9 billion to build 50 new schools, plus $1.6 billion to repair aging campuses. Money also would be provided to buy books, create charter schools and begin full-day kindergarten classes.

LAUSD Superintendent Roy Romer said he was certain the district's bond would be approved. Residents now trust the school district, he said.

``This is a historic vote,'' Romer said of Measure R, which would boost the district's building program to a record $10 billion. ``That's the largest construction of schools in one spot at one time in the history of the world.

``It shows the confidence this city has in this school district. L.A. now believes in our school district and we're going to respond in kind by building great schools.''

The state's Proposition 55, which needs a simple majority to pass, would provide funding for education programs and school construction throughout California, including $1.5 billion for the LAUSD. The money would come out of the state general fund and would not result in a tax increase.

If Measure R passes and Proposition 55 fails, the LAUSD still could receive the matching funds in a later election, Romer said.

``It will come back on the ballot in November, and we'll work at it again. We'll be in line waiting for our state match.''

It's an election LAUSD leaders will watching closely. The district needs that money, board President Jose Huizar said.

``Everyone's really excited. We're very optimistic,'' Huizar said. ``I think we have to thank the voters. It's evident of the school progressing, not only in its construction, but in its academic achievement.

``We need Proposition 55. If it does not pass, it would slow down our program, but we still have to build. We have 30 years of neglect in Los Angeles to make up for. It's been a nail-biter and I think it will be one of those we don't know until the very end.''

The LAUSD plans to use the bond money to add about 50,000 seats in the district, including 12,500 in the San Fernando Valley. That would help most students in the district attend school on a 180-day calendar and reduce the number of students who have to be bused to schools far from their homes, officials said.

This is the third bond the school district has proposed since 1997.

``If the numbers hold up, I think it's a testament to the people who understand the needs of the kids,'' said John Perez, president of United Teachers Los Angeles.

Critics of Measure R have said they don't want to shoulder the extra tax burden - up to $60 a year per $100,000 of assessed property valuation. Property owners are now paying about $100 a year per $100,000 of assessed value for the district's two previous bond measures.

Some residents have also questioned the district's track record with past bond money. About $600 million of state and local money from this election would be used to finish 2,000 repair projects that were supposed to be funded with 1997 bond money. The district ran out of money before it could complete those projects.

Jennifer Radcliffe, [phone]

jennifer.radcliffe(at)dailynews.com