California Retired Teachers Association Corrects and Replaces Previous Release, BW0068, CA-RETIRED-TEACHERS.

State's Retired Teachers Endorse 

Proposition 1A; Cite Need for Schools Prepared for 21st Century

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 1998--The California Retired Teachers Association (CRTA) has endorsed Proposition 1A, the $9.2 billion school bond act on the Nov. 3 ballot, citing the need to upgrade the state's existing schools and to build new schools that can accommodate 21st century teaching technologies.

"These sorely needed funds would allow school districts throughout the state to attend to repair and upgrade schools, add new classrooms to reduce class size, and build new schools to meet expected enrollment increases," said Georgianna Galas, president of CRTA, the state's largest organization of retired educators.

Importantly, the bond would also provide funds for community colleges, the California State University and the University of California systems.

"We need to provide a suitable environment for learning and achievement, and Proposition 1A will assist us in that endeavor," Galas noted.

Galas noted that strict cost controls in the ballot measure ensure that the bond money can only be spent to build, repair or update schools, install wire and cable for new technologies, and to help make schools earthquake safe. The bond makes this possible without tax increases.

"Californians have historically shown a strong commitment to the state's public education system," Galas said. "Proposition 1A reaffirms that commitment and will help to once again put California's public schools in the vanguard of the nation's education systems."